Sir,

It disappoints me to hear of people's determination to force away any investment in this area. I am of course referring to Tesco's proposed development of a supermarket, business/retail park and park and ride facility in New Hedges.

In my eyes, Tesco should be applauded for their attempts to breathe some new life into Tenby, yet they are repeatedly accused of trying to destroy the town (see comments from town councillors in your recent article 'Business Park would kill Tenby'.

For years, people have had to leave Tenby to do a proper shop in one of the big name stores in other towns - a new supermarket and retail park development would mean that people have less reason to leave Tenby to shop elsewhere. People who would shop at the new store would be the same people who already travel to the Tesco stores in Pembroke Dock, Haverfordwest or Carmarthen, therefore it would not cause any more of a problem for Tenby than there is already - it would simply make shopping more convenient and increase the choice available to both local residents and holidaymakers.

It would more than likely actually lead to an increase in people coming into the town centre due to the close proximity of the town centre to the new development combined with the proposed Park and Ride scheme - this would surely be beneficial to the town. Hundreds of people would be employed at the new store, which would be another boost to a town which suffers greatly from a lack of job opportunities.

Furthermore, the Park and Ride scheme would be a big improvement on the diabolical parking situation in the town, by allowing visitors to park in a large, purpose-built car park on the outskirts and catch a frequent bus service into the centre.

If the proposed development was for another food store such as a Morrisons or an Asda, I have no doubt that people would welcome it with open arms - indeed, when Sainsbury's announced that they would be taking over the Somerfield store in Tenby, I heard nothing but praise that a large, successful retailer was finally taking an interest in the town - so why are people so welcoming towards Sainsbury's, but so opposed to Tesco, even though Tesco have been trying to invest in this area for years? After all, the Sainsbury's store is merely a takeover of an already existing supermarket - no new development, no new investment, and few new jobs, whereas the Tesco development would fulfil the needs of a town which for so long has been crying out for some rejuvenation.

I can only assume that people's lack of support for Tesco is because it has become such a powerful company, yet Tesco is the third biggest retailer in the world and got there simply because it is good at what it does.

Really, we should congratulate Britain's most successful retailer and welcome its investment into the town with open arms - especially during the current economic climate where more and more shops are closing every day - rather than driving it away for no good reason.

Peter Jenkins,

Saundersfoot.