I cannot say how disappointed I was to read about the sale of The Hanbury Ballroom. It is the finest music venue in our city and its passing severely limits the options for local bands and for small to medium-sized touring bands.

The last thing this city needs is a private members' club.

"The first of 1,500 to 2,000 members will be picked by a founding committee of ten celebrities and well-known locals" (The Argus, July 11). Save us from Hello! culture in Brighton.

-Dermot Watson, Brighton