Thousands of parents have been able to enjoy their shopping at Churchill Square in Brighton by having their youngsters cared for in the creche.

So they were understandably upset when the creche was forced to close, with only one week's notice, on the grounds it was not paying enough rent.

Now centre owners are negotiating a deal with another firm which will provide a children's educational service requiring parents to be present at all times.

But this defeats the whole object of the creche, which is for children to be left in a safe and pleasant place while the parents go shopping.

It could also result in Churchill Square receiving a smaller income from the new service than it had from the creche.

Shopping centre bosses should think again and come to a deal which allows the creche to keep going in the same way as before.

It makes sense for the parents and also for the centre as these families bring in millions of pounds each year to the precinct.

The creche should be regarded as an investment for Churchill Square as a whole, rather than a money-making operation in its own right.