Sir, – Your editorial of April 16th states that “rural development means different things to different people”. Referring to “difficulties currently being experienced by local communities and small retailers”, it goes on to state that “growing numbers of closed shops and vacant properties provide evidence of accelerating decay”. The reality is that the decline of family retail businesses is almost entirely attributable to the expansion of multiples. The arrival of huge retail giants has sealed the fate of many small businesses and that of their suppliers and employees. In Mayo it has destroyed the commercial and social fabric of many towns and villages. Here we have a concentration of national and multinational retail development which is completely disproportionate to our population.
This is a fact and is patently obvious for all to see. Why we remain in denial of this jumbo elephant in the room is difficult to fathom. Yours, etc,
JOHN KILKELLY,
Curragh,
Castlebar,
Co Mayo