Reports in the local paper show local retailer holding piles of cash and saying how well the town is doing, however if you speak to most they are complaining about how quiet things are. The story was supposed to highlight the success of the Retailers Association campaign for attracting visitors to the town, and it boasted of the £100,000's they have brought to the town. They quote a report which quantifies this, but the report was prepared by the organisation who has been running the campaign, so not sure it can be seen as impartial.
Also talking up the town talks up the rents of the shops, and we have lots of empty ones. I think the Retailers Association need to give more proof that their campaign is working.
It seem like it was a knife edge vote, with Graham Garvie (Lib Dem Councillor for Peebles) having the casting vote and turning it down. The decision has been greeted with joy by many retailers/restaurateurs who are already suffering from depressed trading figures, and did not need this extra competition. I guess the question is now what will happen with Vietches?