David Radke (Opinion, December 20) indicates that because Brighton and Hove is now a city we ought to increase the number of drinking places in St James's Street.

Surely the opposite is the case. As a city we should be even more concerned that we are a place that is pleasant to live in and to visit.

Problems caused by the ever-growing number of licensed premises are making that difficult.

Brighton is overloaded with places where alcohol can be taken without food and St James's Street in particular is the last place needing any increase of that kind.

Three cheers to the magistrates who refused David Radke's application.

-Christ Atkins, Broad Street, Brighton