SIR — Last Friday (July 26) notices from the county highways department appeared on lampposts to advise of the closure of the Esplanade between The Avenue and Blenheim Road for the purposes of holding a car boot sale along the seafront on alternate Sundays starting August 18.

There has been no prior publicity or consultation, and only three working days to register objections.

The application to hold a car boot sale must surely be a cover for a market of traders selling new goods and undercutting our local shops, and even a trial for a future market nearer the town?

Is nothing to be learned from the effect of the market a few years back in the grounds and ballroom of the Hobby Horse and the further degradation of a landmark building in the conservation area?

It was only thanks to a local businessman who cared enough to invest in and restore the Hobby Horse into a venue for local groups, functions and a hotel/pub that it is now an asset to the area.

A few opportunistic traders can inflict damage on our historic town in the form of an ill-sited open air market.

Rather than bring outside traders into the town, could not an honest debate be had to improve the town's trading prospects and employment opportunities, as well as being a welcoming town for visitors? Many competing issues are involved and need to be aired.

Is a car boot sale on a non-commercial stretch of the seafront leading from the successful West Somerset Railway to the start of the South West Coast Path, the historical quay area and harbour, all within a conservation area, the most imaginative way for the town to present itself?

Yes, new and bold ideas are needed and inevitably some vested interests may not win.

But who will count the cost and measure the detrimental effect on a beautiful conservation area for the financial gain of outside traders who contribute nothing to the town - if this opportunistic scheme is allowed?

Name and address supplied