FOR many years now, we have been big supporters of the market town of Hexham which we have seen it in its halcyon days.

We appreciate we have all been through one of the biggest recessions since World War Two and everyone has been affected by it.

We think the recent recession is still blighting us now when, in fact, this present Government is telling us how well Great Britain is doing – there is still a long way to go before we are in the clear.

But Hexham is looking jaded, with trees growing out of buildings opposite Relate and to the side of the nearby NatWest bank.

With inflation at zero per cent, property owners should be ashamed of themselves for allowing buildings to fall into disrepair.

Instead of town centre landlords increasing their rents, they should be decreasing them.

They will still get a decent return, coupled with the natural capital appreciation on their fixed asset.

The arrival of White Stuff on Fore Street is a coup for the town centre.

It is up-market and will help attract more people into the town – you could say it has raised Hexham’s profile.

We are proud to say we, and our family, will always support this market town.

ROBIN AND MARGARET BROOKSBANK-PEARCY,

Horsley