Sir – As commercial surveyors and property agents for Maple Grove Developments, I need to respond to the claims made by Mr Barrass of Chapel Allerton Investments that there is not sufficient demand from retailers for two schemes in Skipton and, by implication, suggesting to councillors that they should resist any plans by Maple Grove Developments for the High Street and Jerry Croft (Town Hall) sites.

Can I point Mr Barrass in the direction of an independent report on Skipton undertaken by property consultants, Donaldsons back in 2004, which identified ‘significant requirements from multiple retailers’ wanting to relocate in the town, but thwarted by the lack of large regular-shaped shops in the town centre of the type many modern High Street names now demand? This is precisely the type of space that Maple Grove would like to provide.

In the course of marketing my client’s development I have identified outstanding retail requirements for Skipton totalling more than 250,000 sq ft. This is much more than either the Westgate Co-op or my client’s proposed development can accommodate.

This lack of new investment is holding back the local economy and depriving the local community of new jobs. If shoppers cannot find the stores they demand in Skipton they will simply shop elsewhere.

Specifically, Argos has confirmed to us that the Westgate Store site does not satisfy their requirements when considering a new store location, irrespective of what does or does not happen at Jerry Croft. But more importantly, surely, what’s best for Skipton is for it to attract more local shoppers to its town centre rather than being drawn away to other towns where there is a bigger choice of shops on offer.

By giving local shoppers more reasons to come in more frequently and spend longer in Skipton town centre, there is a better opportunity for local businesses, retailers and landlords (including Mr Barrass) to prosper.

John Brady, Brady Chartered Surveyors