THE row over the Malmesbury Sunday market is a classic case of blowing a situation out of all proportion by not talking to those involved.

The traders are upset, as are the church representatives and the local residents, as there was no consultation with them before the market was given the go ahead. The townspeople feel that the traders are just grumbling because of a bit of competition.

The situation is now polarised with petitions flying around and traders banning council members from their shops. Have any of the council, chamber of commerce or traders attempted to find a compromise?

This whole situation is mainly down to petty squabbles, often backed by historical grievances, between puffed up egos (especially those that wear ceremonial chains) on all sides.

The market is not a black and white issue of right and wrong, there are a number of different and equally valid opinions. This ludicrous polarisation is a mirror image of what's going on in the wider world today.

How sad that Malmesbury, with so much potential as a working market town, could easily become another antique and touristy area with no real local shops for local people. We can all visit Tetbury for these amenities.

Consultation and cooperation before action would have avoided all this what a waste of time, energy and public money again.

J SHORT

Charlton Park

Malmesbury