WE used to love to go shopping in Northwich for a change. But after our last trip I don’t think we’ll be visiting for some time.

I couldn’t believe how many shops have closed. It used to be a town with lots of character and friendly, family-run businesses.

We enjoyed mooching round because it was different. Where have all the independent retailers gone?

It was really sad to see countless premises boarded up with heaps of mail lying unopened inside.

Even long-established charity shops have gone - all those volunteers giving up their time to raise funds for needy causes not to mention shoppers finding bargains.

Weaver Square is like a ghost town, there are so many empty units. I feel sorry for the market traders. They must feel abandoned surrounded by all the vacant shops.

I believe Oxfam is soon to pull out – that will leave only a handful including butchers, Card Factory, delicatessen and phone shop.

It’s all very well spending £80 million on the swish Barons Quay development but we can shop in Asda and M&S and watch a movie anywhere.

We spotted the new Aldi and saw that Lidl had been refurbished but the town is already overrun by supermarkets with Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose.

Considering it was a Saturday, there was a distinct lack of shoppers walking through the streets.

It is such a shame that what was once a unique market town has been steamrollered by developers into a glass and steel monstrosity.

Sarah Lewis Widnes