IN HIS letter, Geoff Sloman complained about the lack of shops in Cirencester, but at no point in his very long letter did he suggest what shops are missing.

For a country market town we have a very good selection of name-brand shops, including at least three supermarkets, two greengrocers, two butchers, three bakers’ shops, three men’s and three women’s clothing (plus numerous ‘boutiques’), two shoe shops, numerous hairdressers, two excellent bookshops and WH Smiths, two carpet fitters, two computer specialists, builders’ and plumbers’ yards with a wide choice of products, and three markets a week. We also have many individual shops that make Cirencester so much more attractive.

Gardiner-Hoskins has an excellent supply of DIY and furnishing products, and admittedly they are the only ones who stock a wide range of ‘white’ kitchen and household goods.

The only places in short supply may be those for teens and business women’s clothing, and children’s wear. We used to have a Next shop which is much missed, and five shoe shops which was excessive.

Bearing in mind that increasing numbers of us shop online, I cannot think of what might be missing for everyday needs.

If Mr Sloman just wants a wider range of the same kind of shops at hand, he should live in Swindon.

DAVID GP WILLIAMS

Cirencester