IN response to “£13m boost for Hexham” in the Courant (November 6), the Dysart development is not a boost, but a £13m heap of bricks boosting the Government’s headline GDP figure.

This £13m development does not improve the local economy, as that figure is Dysart’s build cost, with no guarantee that the construction workers and future staff will be local.

There are at present five shops vacant near the old bus station; Dysart is building more when existing local shops have gone out of business.

Attracting a higher footfall will make existing shops more viable; this is a better way forward.

It would have been better if the old bus station site was used entirely for residential, or live and work spaces, for the increasing population of self-employed entrepreneurs.

It would also be better to support existing local retail businesses, because £10 spent with a local shop generates £25 of economic activity locally.

If money is spent with a major chain, for example Costa or White Stuff, £7 of that same £10 will leave the area, making the local economy poorer.

This has been demonstrated by Totally Locally, a national organisation which promotes local spending and activity.

I heard at the November Hexham Town Council meeting that the council now has access to pre-application discussions via the county council.

I hope they will influence future developments which will work for Hexham residents and stimulate the local economy to create local jobs for all age groups.

D. GRUNDEY
Hexham