I AM writing in response to the article dated January 11, ‘An innovative shopping scheme’.

The article went on to say “if everyone in Christchurch spent just £5 a week in local independent shops, the boost to the town would help ensure its survival”.

How dare they put the onus on the community? The time for the meeting was not appropriate for most elderly in Christchurch and the majority do not have a computer to get more information.

This problem is created by the traders’ narrow-mindedness and complacency about the service they should be providing and the council for not wanting to take responsibility for their part in all this with the high rates charged.

Now that a supermarket is coming to the town, and about time too, they are all taking note and worrying about their livelihoods.

They should have taken stock a long time ago when the recession started hitting us all.

Don’t dare blame the Christchurch consumer.

If traders had all been trying to give value for money and putting the customer first, they would not be taking this initiative.

The traders and the council need to talk and come to an arrangement between them and not keep asking us the “locals” to keep putting our hands in our pockets.

JANE BURROWS, Barrack Road, Christchurch