ON a recent visit to Yorkshire I took the opportunity to see Halifax, the town which was Kidderminster's great competitor in the carpet industry for many years.

The Dean Clough complex, where carpet production ceased in 1982, is a fine sight.

Built by Crossley's between 1840 and 1870, it appears to have been preserved in its entirety.

Consisting mills six or more storeys high, it makes the Brintons site seem insignificant.

Many companies occupy the premises, which also house a theatre and galleries for art and music.

This goes to show how reasonable is John Combe's call (Letters, December 6) for the district council to start to use the historic buildings of the town to create much-needed amenities.

It is regrettable that the failure to have a coherent plan for the Brintons site means that the piano building may be sacrificed, when it could provide space for a museum, for example.

Another building which should be put to good use is the Rock Works in Park Lane which has been lying derelict for so long.

Over many decades the identity of Kidderminster as a manufacturing town has been stripped away to create an environment which cannot attract visitors.

This failure to exploit the town's history has been damaging commercially.

The council are now consulting the public on a draft town plan, which contains many fine objectives, such as "to promote appropriate development which secures the beneficial re-use and enhancement of historic buildings and environments".

This confirms my belief that our civic leaders do understand that many people, even in Kidderminster, have interests other than shopping.

It is time to do something about it.

NIGEL GILBERT

Tynings Close

Kidderminster