Calling oneself a sage is rather like calling oneself cool - almost by definition inappropriate (The Sage Of Sussex, The Argus, January 10). Taking the points Adam Trimingham made in order, firstly, clearly there has been a substantial improvement in Brighton and Hove during the past ten years.

However, Brighton and Hove continues to lag behind most of its neighbours, with above-average levels of poor housing and unemployment, poor schooling, homelessness and so on. That the city has not been subject to the competition of out-of-town shopping centres says nothing very positive.

Adam is clearly correct that development of the station site in Brighton is long overdue but will it provide a boost for the London Road? It puts me in mind of a situation in Wandsworth, 20 years ago the second poorest borough in London.

Sainsbury's owned a large tract of land by the river where it wanted to build a superstore. Wandsworth Council disagreed, saying it would take the commercial heart out of Wandsworth and the land was better suited to housing. Sainsbury's riposte was a housing development alone would be uneconomical.

Wandsworth Council stuck to its guns, Sainbury's redeveloped its shop on Garratt Lane in central Wandsworth and the land by the river became a very successful mixed housing development. Wandsworth is now one of the richest boroughs in London with a thriving shopping centre and residents enjoy one of the lowest council taxes.

Finally, Adam's comment about the old and the sour. Well, I'm sure a young, trendy man such as he finds Brighton and Hove delectable. However, a large proportion of residents are middle-aged and retired. They, too, make a large contribution to the city and have a right to enjoy it. It saddens me how often I hear older residents saying they are fearful of venturing into the centre at night or feel the city's pubs and clubs now cater only for teenagers and students. Local reports even suggest older people are leaving in significant numbers.

When Brighton and Hove really comes of age, it will be attractive to all its residents, not just the young. Young people might be the future but they are just the older citizens of the future and the older citizens have the privilege of paying for the present.

-Steve, St Peter's Place, Brighton