KNUTSFORD has a wealth of heritage, which brings visitors and makes it a charming place to live, but for how much longer, when the oldest street in the town is so much in need of improvement? The future for the town could be bleak unless it keeps up with the needs of the 21st century.

Northwich is undertaking a mammoth scheme at Barons Quay which, like the Trafford Centre, will draw visitors away from small towns like ours unless they can offer ample off-street parking and safe, attractive, accessible areas for shoppers.

At present Knutsford seems to be unable to look any further than the present, when it really needs a scheme that embraces all three aspects of its motto.

There have been suggestions in the Guardian that we should shop elsewhere until improvements are finally made to King Street. It would be a shame to boycott all the businesses in the town because of the short-sightedness of a few. If those businesses that are in favour of the King Street enhancement scheme would let us know who they are, then we could make a positive effort to give them our support.

M Gracie Knutsford