AFTER several meetings with a paid consultant, letters to The Argus, on-line petitions, pleading with councillors and meetings with the staff from the Record Office and the Museums, why am I not surprised these undertakings have been ignored?

The Friends of Brighton History Centre have met many times over the past year trying to find ways to keep the History Centre in Brighton open.

Councillor Geoffrey Bowden said: “If we want new facilities, it is inevitable that we must close the old ones” (The Argus, May 3).

No, it isn’t inevitable – the old one was perfectly good.

“We”, as in the councillors, may want it closed for financial reasons, but “we”, as in the users, do not.

I suggest most people who currently use this centre will not want to undergo the arduous journey to the new Record Office. It will involve a bus journey from Brighton to the University of Sussex, walking through the underpass to Falmer Station and quite a walk alongside and under the railway line to the new building. Though it will be lit, it won’t be a pleasant walk on a dark, wet winter’s day.

Last time I walked it, there were steps at the end of one of the walkways in Falmer. This will have to be changed by the time the building opens.

I for one won’t be popping in to do some research as I do now and meet friends for coffee in the museum.

I fear all consultation has been merely lip service and we, the users, have no say in the matter as usual.

I beg the councillors involved to think again.

Lavender Jones, St Luke’s Terrace, Brighton