Very important meeting 7th October

We have just heard that Cornwall Council's Strategic Planning Committee is holding a public meeting at Wadebridge Town Hall at 6.00 pm Thursday 7th October to discuss all the superstore applications. This is the best remaining opportunity to let them know your views. Please do your very best to be there. Whether or not you want to speak, your presence will show that local people take this issue seriously. Our previous experience of discussing issues with the Council's Scrutiny Committee was very encouraging, as they did listen, and their recommendation blocked the planned disposal of the Higher Trenant offices.  So it is certainly worth turning out. We look forward to seeing you at the Town Hall next Thursday.

Why we fear superstores could turn Wadebridge into a characterless Clone Town

Chain stores are sucking the identity out of our towns, some interesting new research reveals.

A new study into diversity on the high street places three south-west places in the top ten of the worst Clone Towns.

The New Economics Foundation accuses chain stores of being fair weather friends because they don't support the local economy in the way that local retailers do during a recession.

In the think tank's 2009 study Exeter is joint second Clone Town along with Reading. St Austell is number eight in the list, while Penzance is number ten.

Exeter came top in the Clone Town league table in 2005. It's now lost the dubious honour of "King Clone" to Cambridge, where only nine varieties of shop were found last year.

At the other end of the scale in the Home Town top ten, Torrington in North Devon is number four, with a score of 85.6 for identity and diversity. Crediton is fifth and Newlyn is ninth.

Reimagining The High Street - Clone Town Britain 2010: High street diversity still on endangered list - New Economics Foundation