A 'quickie divorce parlour', squeezed in between the dozens of bars and restaurants that replace retail outlets in Old Town might add even more excitement to the new Reno-style 'strip' that is likely to characterise Wood Street.

Local residents, particularly the many elderly it must be said, are given no quarter as the few public amenities and shops they frequent by day are reduced one by one, boarded up or given over to football, booze, eateries or blocks of flats. The council's only role is to wave through planning applications, changing the use of retail and office premises into an increasing number of restaurants and bars.

Our much-loved Top Drug epitomises so much that is 'community' in Old Town, not least its proprietor who will find anything a customer requests within his Aladdin's cave and knows every individual by name. The store's ambience is unique and many of its prices appear not to have changed for a decade, making it the destination of choice for those on a pension or without substantial means. What of solidarity from the other traders and their sympathy with Mr Phillips, the landlord who ‘does not want to be tied down’? Oh, they'll be all right, Jack, for a while until fewer and fewer people frequent the area by day.

We who do not want Old Town to become a day-time desert give Colin Zabel our wholehearted support and thank him for all he has done for us, while viewing with dismay what is happening to the once beautiful Old Town.

SHIRLEY BURNHAM Arundel Close Swindon