Feel West St energy

Thanks, but no thanks, Matthew Wales.

West St, Umina Beach, doesn't need a big shopping mall stretching from West St right through to Wellington St.

That's where we park our cars when we buy at the many small shops in and around West St.

West St has an energy you can feel, as you sit - in the open air, moreover - outside the many food and coffee shops scattered between the small specialty shops.

It's a country town feel and the traffic is slow and mostly courteous (those in a hurry can go around via Wellington St).

I'm constantly meeting people who live outside the Peninsula and who regularly come to West St to enjoy food and friendliness.

Small West St shop owners know the problems lately faced by shopkeepers at Erina Fair, with sharply rising rents to keep up (swish) appearances.

Gosford CBD isn't working: there's no parking, except in the malls where parking is a nightmare.

Woy Woy is within a local bus ride if Umina Beach shoppers need the large supermarkets.

Nice of you to think of us - but your idea is my worst nightmare.

Fran Adams Umina Beach