Don’t sound death knell for the town

The question means that unless you do, you die. But it is equally possible to do and die.

Look at Livery Street. Look at the result of doing something there. Walk along it. Gaze at this “masterpiece” for which Wilson Bowden was responsible. It reminds me of a wadi - a watercourse in a rocky valley, usually dry.

Of course, you will probably see nothing wrong with it if, like Bill Hunt, the council’s deputy chief executive, you see nothing wrong with the Clarendon Arcade.

“Public criticism of the arcade,” he says, “Focuses on a perceived lack of need, with empty retail units within the centre.” Furthermore, “perceptions about the negative impact on the small, largely independent retailers, while no doubt well-intentioned, are not supported by commercial realities.”

Putting to one side the clunking banality of the language: note ‘perceived’ and ‘perceptions,’ which mean that he knows better. Note the sneer behind ‘well-intentioned.’

So should those who oppose the arcade humbly retire now that Bill Hunt has spoken? As they walk along the Parade should they point him out to their friends and say: “Look, there’s Bill Hunt, Leamington’s wise man?” Should they? - R.P. Taylor, St Mary’s Terrace,, Leamington.