I am not surprised Whitbread is closing the Hove branch of Caf Rouge (Argus, October 31). I am one of many wearied by these chain restaurants where the blackboard menu is dictated from some remote office and the food prepared elsewhere.

We much prefer to spend our hard-earned money supporting the livelihood of places run by genuinely local people rather than these faceless corporations. Local independents care far more about the food and, not beset by pointless overheads, charge less.

At Oscar's on Portland Road, for example, the staff relish talking about the food rather than simply shrugging and trying to sell you mineral water.

-Christopher Hawtree, Westbourne Gardens, Hove