SIR — I read with interest and concern your report about the future of the Londis store in Porlock (Free Press May 20). I must comment that Mr Barbee may be chairman of the village tourist association but his sentiments regarding the future of the Londis store should not be taken as representative of the opinion of the village. May I say that Porlock has been very well served by the present owners of the store, who have been persuaded to sell by the combination of utter tiredness and poor health. The prospect of 'swingeing' price cuts is, of course, anathema to those of us in business in the village! Would it not be more appropriate to aim our criticism at a government that is making the running of a small business more and more difficult by the introduction of taxes and onerous regulations which make life in a small business intolerable? In the meantime, I am waiting with bated breath for a takeover offer from the Hilton or the Marriott group of hotels for my modest hotel in Porlock. Dick Thornton, The Lorna Doone Hotel and Restaurant, Porlock.