3:00pm Sunday 2nd June 2013
I AM a frequent visitor to Hereford and have been coming to your wonderful and picturesque city for more than 30 years, in business and pleasure and not least when, for a number of years, I was a governor of Hereford College of Arts on Folly Lane.
I was therefore pleased to see the letter on your pages from Kevan Gilbert of the Merton Hotel and Gilbies Bar and Bistro (Readers’ Times, May 9) about the struggles of independent eateries.
Not only have I stayed at the Merton Hotel on a number of occasions, but also enjoyed lunch and afternoons at the bistro, both on my own and with my son Oliver and his girlfriend.
I am not related to Mr Gilbert, nor do I act for him, but I support him in his endeavours to keep open and viable his excellent hotel, so reasonably priced, friendly and well-run with an excellent menu in the bar/restaurant. The same applies to Gilbies.
Too many high streets all over Wales and England are being monopolised by the big national and international players, which I seek to avoid whenever possible.
It’s the old saying: “Use it or lose it.”
You are right, Mr Gilbert. I hope too that more Hereford residents and visitors like myself use your businesses, and other local businesses more often, so that we do not sink below the boring degree of high street “sameness”.
CHRISTOPHER SHORT, Barry,Vale of Glamorgan,
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