May we express our concern that a number of Minehead shopkeepers have stated that they do not want the cyclists to return to the town next year (Free Press June 28).

Minehead has often been criticised for its laid back attitude and failure to promote the town, and we must confess that in the past we have also expressed this concern.  

Now we have the Minehead BID group and others doing their best to promote the town, and some very short-sighted, narrow-minded business owners are attempting to block their efforts.

We feel very sorry for these people if one weekend of reduced takings can be so drastic for them.

Surely the fact that Minehead is being placed on the map by such events will benefit us all in the long term.

As for the statement that the town was like a war zone, we are baffled as we saw nothing of this and can only praise the organisers for their work in creating an event that was safe and enjoyable for all.

There were criticisms about people not being able to cross roads etc, but we did not see any of this. We walk through the town to the seafront virtually every day and we were not unduly held up or put out by the cycle races.

Quite the contrary, as despite being 53 and 62 years old and having no real interest in cycling, we still stopped to watch the event on both days and were impressed by the cyclists’ efforts.

Surely the promotion of Minehead through events like this should be welcomed by us all.

Some people may be put out for a couple of days but this a price worth paying if visitors come to the town and see the wonderful area in which we live.

Surely they will come back again and maybe even buy some fudge!

Carol Gould and Sara Giles, Cuzco Gardens, Periton Road, Minehead.