IN response to Dave O’Brien’s letter (Star, May 25), the reason we have not got a WH Smith is because not enough people were using it. People were instead choosing to shop elsewhere.


The shops we have are not making enough money to pay the rents, business rates (which are set by the Government and cannot be lowered unless rent is between £12,000 and £15,000) and wages, etc.


Shops need shoppers to stay open. Other stores which have left – also with nothing to do with St Helens Council – include Dorothy Perkins and Burtons.


They have closed in loads of towns and cities when their leases end.


HMV closed because it was not a profitable shop.

So if you want a thriving town try and shop here and then better shops may risk opening a business.


St Helens also has a unique vintage and craft shop which attracts people from Wigan, Warrington and Widnes. It is expanding so someone other than me must be shopping here.


Claire, via email