I AM dismayed by the response by the local council, Rebecca Poulsen and others to the proposals to convert the Royal Oak pub to a Tesco convenience store – Store bid turned down by council (Keighley News, October 16).

They claim there are ‘hundreds’ of objections to the project, but this is not substantiated, and they fail to comment on the views of the people who would like to see a Tesco in Haworth.

I have spoken to many people in Haworth about this and have not yet found anyone who objects. Where are they all?

As a pensioner struggling to make ends meet, I would welcome with open arms a Tesco store with its greater choice and competitive prices. I simply cannot afford to shop at the alternative store in Haworth, and this means I have to drive into Keighley to shop at a supermarket and take advantage of lower prices.

I am one of the luckier ones. Think about the pensioners who do not have cars and have to bus it into Keighley and carry heavy shopping back to Haworth. Not only would a Tesco save the people of Haworth money and give them greater choice, it would reduce the carbon footprint of Haworth by cutting out journeys into Keighley.

I am sure if a comprehensive, fair and unbiased pole were taken in Haworth, there would be a resounding yes to Tesco.

To round this off, I would say it would be preferable to see a smart shop on the site of the Royal Oak rather than having to pass an establishment with smokers lolling about outside, flicking their tab ends into the road and generally making the place look untidy. After all, Haworth is a tourist village and the Royal Oak is the first thing visitors see when they exit the station.

RICHARD ATKINSON

Haworth