The Sidmouth Street Festival held last Saturday in Devizes was a resounding success. The traders are to be congratulated on the way they banded together to stage such a lively event.

Devizes Town Council is also to be congratulated on the imaginative refurbishment of Albion Place, which made it possible.

The new entertainment area will add to the opportunities for community activities and provide an attractive gathering place.

The enhanced signage, redecorated premises and the particularly fine display of flower baskets on most of the buildings enhance the area greatly.

The co-operative response of the traders to this initiative has been most positive and is an example from which other parts of the town could learn. Floral displays once featured on most of the commercial buildings throughout the shopping centre. Now, with some honourable exceptions, they are few and far between.

The Brittox, mostly populated by national companies, relies almost totally on civic provision and The Market Place is little better.

Sidmouth Street has set an example which other traders could well consider following, for the benefit of everyone, traders and shoppers alike.

Tony Duck, Honorary secretary, The Trust for Devizes.