Q. With news that two stores are opening in Queensgate before Christmas, are you hopeful that the city can buck the current economic woes?

For years Peterborough has needed investment in its infrastructure, housing, retail and commercial sectors. Having seen this begin with developments in and out of town it would be a shame to bring this to a halt due to economic concerns. Peterborough needs to press on with its development in order to attract more High Street stores, hotels and big business to encourage employment and tourism to flourish when better times return. Any new stores are a boost for jobs.

Q. Do you think that China and the oil-producing countries should be helping less fortunate countries?

The UK already leads the way with its efforts to cut carbon emissions and support Third World countries. Countries such as the US and China need to do more themselves to protect the environment, as well as supporting developing nations.

Q. What cost-cutting measures have you adopted in light of the present situation?

We have not tried to cut costs, cutting costs only means we offer less of a service to our customers and that's one way of losing turnover. Instead we now work more efficiently, organising our daily delivery service geographically, better buying policy, working harder to secure every possible order and looking after our customers, if we don't, someone else will.

Q. Who do you think is best placed to lead the country out of recession – Brown, Cameron, Clegg?

In these times it is better that politics are put to one side and all parties work together to ensure a prompt return to a growing economy and high employment.