Madam,

Congratulations must go to the two Tywyn councillors for highlighting a really dire situation in the High Street, with empty businesses nearly more in number that operating ones, some of which may not last another six months.

As this is happening, we see more and more grocery delivery vans coming from large supermarkets outside the area making deliveries into the town.

The town’s own very good supermarkets also provide an excellent home delivery service.

It does seem to be a pity that these well-meaning councillors and their colleagues failed to support Cllr Mike Stevens, who stood alone last year against increasing the council tax by 50 per cent for holiday home properties.

Holiday home owners are really important to the local economy. They do not need to shop in Tywyn but in the main have always chosen to do so, feeling they were helping the local economy. They visit throughout the whole calendar year not just at weekends in the good weather.

One recent quote from a high street business was: “We absolutely need holiday home owners. They visit throughout the year”.

Owners hit by this unfair increase will slowly become unwilling to continue supporting local businesses; they are now paying a premium just to be in the area.

According to figures from Gwynedd Council, there are 4,841 class B second properties in Gwynedd. That would make an estimated 10,000 shoppers who will feel aggrieved. One has to assume some may well provide more for themselves over the coming years or, worst case scenario, sell up and leave.

Yours etc,

David Miller, Hinckley - a Tywyn visitor for over 36 years.

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