Re: Closure of Evans Halshaw by Pendragon Plc - 'Motorist angry as dealer due to close today' (BFP, June 30)

I SHARE 'furious motorist' Roger Lawson's views concerning Pendragon Plc's decision to close this successful dealership which sadly took place recently. There must be many more local people connected with the garage over the years who feel the same.

How sad it has been in recent months to watch a loyal and friendly team of employees have their morale destroyed.

I am angry because Pendragon Plc seem to have shown such indifference to its employees, customers and to its franchise manufacturers. High Wycombe could consider itself let down. Clearly the golden nest egg the sale of its site promises is far more important.

Pendragon claims 'the Wycombe based dealership simply could not survive any longer,' but I understand the cars it sells are second, third and fifth in the current UK sales chart.

It may be nationally that the sale of new cars has dipped recently but relatively surely not in this affluent area.

It would seem (viewing things of course purely from Mars!) that there must be a measure of incompetence somewhere.

Is it just due to an ambitious company overstretching itself?

Is it due to a repercussion of the glitch with Rover?

Is it a result of the British management 'malaise'?

I find it very hard to believe Evans Halshaw in London Road was not a viable enterprise. I may not be alone in this view!

Let us hope it will not be too long before a Vauxhall franchise returns to High Wycombe, ready also to serve this town adequately.

High morale is a key issue. When will we start to create in this country an environment in our commercial world that truly values people?

Mr J N Parry-Jennings

Laurel Drive

High Wycombe