"Sidmouth's different shopping experience is disappearing."

Earlier this year, there was considerable debate in the local media about the need or not for chain-stores on Sidmouth's high street:
Futures Forum: In defence of Sidmouth's independent businesses

This is part of the wider debate from the nef:
Futures Forum: New Economics Foundation: Clone Town Sidmouth? >>> "The towns most dependent on the biggest chains and out of town stores have proven to be most vulnerable to the economic crisis."

... as well as the local debate on the need or not for more supermarkets:
Futures Forum: Supermarket saturation point: Is there really room for more in Sidmouth and in Honiton?

Meanwhile, there are concerns about what the District Council intends to do about parking:
Futures Forum: District Council draft Local Plan: and Park & Change

The County Council has had to face opposition to tweaking traffic flow elsewhere in Devon:
Futures Forum: Going against the flow: introducing a one-way street against the wishes of traders and residents...

But there are questions about the real intent of councils when it comes to parking:
Futures Forum: An alternative to councils simply making money out of parking charges: "mixed development"

All of these issues were raised in a front-page article in today's Herald:

  

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