THE LATEST edition of Newport Matters has devoted half a page to publicising the building of a pub and restaurant in the Old Town Dock area, as a joint venture between Marston’s Inns and Taverns, and Newport Unlimited (i.e. Newport council).

Yet the Argus of January 23 reported that Paul Murphy MP was urging the House of Commons to rein in the larger pub chains because smaller pubs and bars up and down the country were closing at the rate of 26 per week.

I bare no grudge against Marston’s, but why is Newport council, in total contradiction to Paul Murphy’s comments and the present state of the licensing trade in general, using ratepayers money to become embroiled with a major pub chain that financially, can probably look after itself?

Mr A Greenhalgh Ross Street Newport