Okehampton looks very bleak now! the prospects for the working people of the town grow less favourable daily.

How does the impact of the recent job losses effect the town and the rest of the local businesses. The passing trade at lunch times of people changing shifts has already had an impact, the customers in the hair dressers are less frequent now.

How long will it be before we see more shops empty in the town?

Many people made redundant do not drive or have the knowlege or skills for the higher paying jobs so are looking for the lower paying jobs and with the public transport systems being reviewed the possible reduction in services and the fares bound to rise, the constant fuel price rises they are being priced out of the market.

Mel Stride wants to promote the area but what is the local government doing to encourage new employers into the area?

And with the banks making it even more difficult to raise the funds for these businesses to start or in many cases continue operating, just how do we move forward.

What do we have as incentives to attract the bigger employers to the area?

We could have better links with the railway network but this requires investment and businesses working together in partnership this takes along time to sort out, access to the road network is already available providing the businesses are set up in the right areas of the town.

We have in abundance the people of the town, loyal and conscientious people who take a pride in there work who are willing to work. Okehampton people are a family who care for each other no matter how difficult times get they look after each other this makes it easy for a potential employer because the difficulties of employee relations is made easier because of this community spirit in the town.

We need to turn around the employment issues of the town quickly or we may see people leave the town for work in other areas, which will make a recovery for the town even more difficult!