I SAW your article two weeks ago on small businesses being encouraged to come to Devizes town. This article will be well received by people in Devizes, especially those who remember the town when every shop seemed to be privately-owned by butchers, bakers and candlestick makers.

It was a strange coincidence for me thinking of the cheerful, happy greeting I received when entering those shops before receiving an excellent service from them.

It was funny because, on the very same day I read this article, I had already decided to call at the local dry cleaner to have my winter coat dry cleaned.

I was greeted by a man, presumably the franchisee or owner. He flicked my coat around on his counter, flicked a few bits off the coat with the back of his hand (like you do) and asked if I would like him to use his new machine which goes all over the coat to take off any of the other loose bits. I said no thanks, I’ll just have a dry clean.

“Can’t do that,” he replied, “the bits will clog my machine up.” So I walked out without using his service.

I’m sure any new shops coming to town will not use this approach to their customers.

G M SHAW, Wickfield, Devizes