Why does a certain newspaper, The Stone Post, believe that the way to increase advertising revenue is to fill the front page with stories foretelling the demise of the town as we know it? And why do town councillors, who should know better, continue to feed this frenzy of doom and gloom?
Last week we had two opposition town councillors being quoted on the front page of The Post in a story that would lead those of a nervous disposition to the conclusion that Stone at night is a hot spot of anti-social behaviour and crime. Totally untrue and unsupported by any meaningful evidence. But it was a very damaging story for the many restaurants and pubs who depend upon the town's vibrant night-time economy.
And this week's revelation? Well,one shop has closed down and, by inference, the whole of the town's economy is under threat! What rubbish these people write! The author even had the temerity to call Stone a "village"! I wonder whether he has ever stepped foot in the town. Surely if he had, he would have seen that, compared to many similar sized town in the region, Stone's High Street is vibrant, busy and full of occupied premises all doing trade. Yes, I know we're in a recession and that money is tight but Stone seems to be holding it's head above water better than most and doesn't need 'knocking copy' like this.
The Post is of course a freebie and doesn't depend on selling copies to survive. But if I was a Stone business advertising in this paper I'd be thinking twice about spending my money with a paper that seems intent on dterring people from coming to town.
And my advice to councillors who are seeking to see their names in print? Remember the maxim of my dear friend, the late Brian Blundell -"Accentuate the positive. Eliminate to negative" I think he would turn in his grave if he had seen last week's Post.
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