The future of the historic Quay pub at the bottom of Fore Street in Kingsbridge must be of ­interest to anyone who cares about the vibrancy of our town. After a long period of neglect, it is to be renovated and made into flats above the ground floor, which is a good idea.

However, the ground floor is to be a Subway and a Spar, and that is quite another matter.

I believe that Kingsbridge does not need a global franchise such as Subway in the centre of a town that attracts visitors because of its independent shops, cafes and restaurants, according to TripAdvisor. Nor do we need another convenience store.

There are already at least 20 independent outlets that offer takeaway food in Kingsbridge, many of which promote and value locally sourced food, including crab, pasties and cheese.

We know that established Subway franchises turn over up to £500,000pa – money that never benefits the local ­economy. Those other small businesses stand to lose out on this revenue.

In addition, there are issues about delivery vans for the ­proposed Spar and Subway blocking the pavement in what is already a difficult junction for traffic and pedestrians.

Subway, which is a forecourt business, would be located more appropriately somewhere where parking is available, such as a petrol station, but not in a Grade II-listed building at the gateway to Fore Street.

In the joint local plan for our area, which we are being encouraged to comment on,

it states: “The plan seeks to enhance the vibrancy and ­sustainability of Kingsbridge, conserving the existing retail offer, protecting the integrity of the town centre and enhancing its character.”

It is time to have our say and think about what is important to the future of Kingsbridge, a unique market town in a ­beautiful location.

Helen Petit

Ebrington Street

Kingsbridge