SIR — As chairman of Minehead's Chamber of Commerce, can I thank all our shopkeepers who remained open last Friday evening.

The lights switch-on event this year was gifted good weather, but it wasn't that that made it a success. Putting my finger on the reason has been difficult.

Many more high street operators pushed the boat out. New shops threw their doors open and three or four were celebrating landmark anniversaries. But it wasn't just that.

The police, whose colourful presence was welcomed, were very complimentary. Shoppers and shopkeepers seemed much happier. There was, according to them, a real community buzz feel about the town centre.

Gerald David's hog roast absence on Wellington Square last minute could have been a downer, but well done Stuart Lowen who stepped in last minute.

Minehead Town Council made sure an illuminated Christmas tree was fixed above most shops in Parks Street, Friday Street and The Parade like never before.

And Butlin's must be thanked for their contribution to enable the old hospital forecourt tree to again brighten an area further down the Avenue.

Things are tough out there on the high street and I must say many adverse comments about Minehead's offer during this summer haven't helped the image others of us are trying to portray.

Minehead will never be a Blackpool or a Bournemouth, but we don't do a bad job at trying to emulate our richer south coast neighbours.

Revive Minehead and the way social media is affecting residents' perceptions is becoming much more relevant.

Shopkeepers are getting excited over this. Councils are coming on board. Our community is still proud. Minehead is not dead or dying. It is planning and trying.

Those organisations working to regenerate/rebrand our town are making progress and last Friday gave them all, I am sure, the message they needed.

Individual shopkeepers and individual residents actually ended up enjoying a very very good evening.

Graham Sizer,

Chairman,

Minehead Chamber of Commerce.