more to allotments than just the rent

Dear Sir,

I must take issue with Rob Minshull's letter in last week's Chronicle concerning the Vale Allotments.

If financial considerations were the only significant issue when considering them in a locality, we would have even fewer than we have now.

Though I respect his viewpoint as a business owner, I humbly suggest it is only one of many.

Allotments have many advantages above that earned as a result of renting them out.

Growing vegetation whether it is for consumption or for pleasure captures carbon dioxide and helps counter climate change as well as improving local air quality.

This is in addition to the benefits of regular exercise, social activity and wholesome food that accrue.

It seems that sometimes business owners would benefit from becoming less focused and widening their horizons to include the wider benefits of their activities that could improve their consumer relations and thus their profitability.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Peter Hirst

Middlewich