While other regional shopping centres have seen department stores appear, Brighton and Hove has lost several.

Long-time residents have seen Wades, Vokins, Johnsons, and, most notably, Hanningtons close in Brighton. Hills of Hove, Stuart Norris and Army & Navy in Hove have also all gone.

Other cities have seen similar losses but enlightened local authorities have encouraged new stores.

Southampton, Norwich and Reading have steadily climbed the retail league but Brighton has fallen from 18th to 22nd place. After the closure of the Co-op, will it fall further?

The Lanes and North Laine are fine for specialist shops and tourists but not everyday, household items. The city's shops are dominated by fashion outlets.

The only store left, Debenhams, is much smaller than its branches at most of its other locations and it contains fashion franchises which already have outlets in Churchill Square and Western Road.

We desperately need the likes of a John Lewis, House of Fraser or Fenwick store.

Brighton and Hove City Council has let Crawley take the initiative by securing John Lewis. It will not open another store so close to it.

The shops west of Churchill Square, on the south side of Western Road, should be replaced by a department store. Those properties appear to have little architectural merit, although local Luddites could have a field day.

-Neil Parker, Brighton