I NOTE with interest the comment made by Highstone Estates in the April 24 edition of Shuttle/Times and News.

"Does the town of Kidderminster want a state-of-the-art six-screen cinema or an unfurnished, uneconomically viable, tired old building?"

This is a very loaded question.

In January 1996 the council produced a public consultation document. Page 9 stated: "The redevelopment site contains a number of existing buildings with historic and architectural value.

"Although all are associated with the carpet industry, they demonstrate a variety in style, height and other qualities related to their former function and development.

"Retention of some of these buildings is important, not only in terms of representing Kidderminster's unique manufacturing heritage, but also because they are fine and magnificent examples of Victorian industrial architecture.

"It is such buildings which give the town its essential character, an important solid base on which to build, extend and enhance."

This report listed buildings as follows: the wool store (now demolished), Slingfield Mill and the Piano Building, listed as the yarn store.

The report stated: "And the former yarn store also enjoys a strong and important group value in association with the Slingfield Mill. The opportunity to incorporate the chimney into the redevelopment should not be ignored". The chimney has also been demolished.

The report continued: "Despite the four-storey height of its two flanking neighbours, Slingfield Mill is strengthened by their presence to hold centre stage. This group, which is placed next to a canal conservation area and direct line to the existing town centre, is ideally situated to become a new civic and cultural public space and focus within the development, and the town".

It is also of note that the Department of the Environment, Vital and Viable Town Centres 1985, recommended: "In many industrial towns a key factor in maintaining viability and individuality has been to re-use vacant factories, mills and waterside areas on the edge of the town centre, particularly those that form landmarks...".

The consultant for the council recommended that the chosen developer should consider the above comments when designing the redevelopment.

At this time no mention was made of provision for a cinema at this site. Indeed this was not mentioned until October 18, 2001, in the Kidderminster Shuttle.

S BRAGGINTON

Kidderminster Civic Society

Town Centre Group

Beauchamp Avenue

Kidderminster

WHAT is it about Kiddermin-ster that debate has descended to a choice between Piano Building retention and cinema provision?

Perhaps it is the same factor that is at work in a town centre being re-shaped without any planned green public open space?

G ANGELL

Franchise Street, Kidderminster

I THINK its a damned good idea to have the cinema. Let's stop dwelling in the past. The Piano Building might be historical but I don't think anyone is really going to miss it now, are they?

As for the cinema itself, it would be so convenient to be able to walk down town and watch the latest movie instead of driving all the way up to Merry Hill and then try to find a parking space.

This kind of enterprise will also bring jobs into the community .

DAMIAN YOUNG

Stoney Lane, Kidderminster