This opinion piece is written by Andrew Hart, a postmaster in Starbeck. It follows news that Greggs could be set to add to the large number of takeaways in the area.

The proposed Greggs, though listed as Starbeck, will in fact be by Morrisons.

I often hear people complaining about Starbeck having far too many takeaways. But is that true, and is it a problem?

I think it depends on several factors:

1. What do we count as a takeaway?

Is it just those outlets providing ready-prepared meals?

Do we include traditional fish and chip shops? Many do not see these as takeaways.

What about restaurants/cafes that supply meals, food, snacks and beverages to take away?

Do we include shops that take orders for delivery? Do we include sandwich and pie shops?

The strict definition is crucial when considering the statement, 'we have too many takeaways'.

2. Why do people complain that Starbeck has "too many takeaways"?

Is it because of the smell, the noise, the litter, the parking? Or is it because people just reminisce about the "good old days" when we had an abundance of independent shops in Starbeck, where you could buy anything at a price?

Back then, the only takeaway was the fish and chip shop.

Occasionally, there are issues relating to bad housekeeping at the rear of some of the takeaways. And yes, there is an issue with delivery people parking badly.

Litter does need watching since the cutbacks on street cleaning.

However, in fairness to the takeaways, they are not entirely responsible for litter and parking issues.

Parking in Starbeck is at a premium because so little is provided by North Yorkshire Council, and none is provided by Network Rail.

We live in an era when many households have more than one personal vehicle, and often have a work vehicle, too.

Commuters and business staff also take up precious parking spaces. Parking any vehicle has become a selfish right.

3. What are the alternatives?

If we removed all the businesses that provide takeaway food, what would be left, and how would you fill those empty premises?

This subject crops up on my Facebook group, Starbeck Community, very frequently, and what are the most frequent answers? A bakery! Greggs is a bakery!

So Starbeck actually wants another bakery, but only the ones it chooses!

In reality, if we did not have the full spectrum of businesses providing takeaway food, we would have a quiet, dying High Street.

The issue is not the number of takeaways, because they represent a minority of the businesses on our High Street.

It is really because of environmental issues, such as parking, and because we all want to go back in time to the pre-Amazon, Very and eBay days, when we had endless little shops.

Sadly, we all played a part in those shops disappearing. Let's move forward with the times and make sure we use both the shops and the takeaways we still have on our High Street.

I say welcome to Greggs – it will be popular and hopefully bring jobs and prosperity to local people.

What do you think? Have your say in the comment section below.