I WOULD like to thank Jean Rogers for the letter in the Journal (January 29) highlighting the impact that the Coffee#1 has had on some of the towns' caterers.

Despite the hundreds of objections to allow Coffee#1 to open, the council chose to ignore the wishes of these people and and allowed it to go ahead.

Independent individual shops are the backbone of Pershore and play a big part in attracting visitors to the town.

During the summer months there are lots of events attracting even more visitors to the town, a big benefit for the small businesses.

One of the best trading days for caterers is August Bank Holiday Monday, the last day of the Plum Fayre.

Unfortunately, this is when the organisers choose to invite mobile catering units from outside of the town, pitching them in areas where the main attractions are situated.

Every year there are increased numbers of these vendors and it obviously has a big impact on the local caterering trade.

This is unfair to the traders who are here all year round and deserve to have the exclusivity of the increased trade.

Pete Brotheridge

The Godown Tearoom

Pershore.