I READ the front page article, Fears over Regal after guttering crashes down, on October 27.

The Regal Cinema was built in the 1930s, as a deco style cinema, designed by cinema architect Hurley Robinson. Nearly 70 years later, the building was put up for sale, in the autumn of 2000. Horrified at the idea of a loss of the Regal, the residents of Evesham set up the Evesham Regal Trust. The first short term aim was to prevent any damage to the building. The trust approached the Department of the Environment, who were so impressed by the building and it's architectural importance that they swiftly moved to protect it, and on November 14, 2000 the building was granted Grade II listed status, and thereby protecting it from any destructive re-development.

But still to some, the regal is an important aspect of Evesham life. But to many, the old building has now become an eye-sore to the traders of Port Street. And, after the guttering incident, it may now become a hazard also. This may have been just a one off incident, but the building is decaying after 70 years of service.

That is why action must be taken on the Regal Cinema. Whether it be fully restoring the building, or completely demolishing it.

Supposedly, the cinema is due to be refurbished into a new four screen complex. Many people now are saying that this should commence immediately, or the Listed status should be removed and the cinema demolished. Surely, this would be a great boost to Evesham's economy if it was refurbished. But, as I previously noted, the Evesham Regal Trust set out to make sure the building was not damaged, and certainly not pulled down, but really, by getting it Grade II listed, they stopped any development, and kind of paved the way for it falling into disrepair.

Most people would rather go to a new, sleek modern movie cinema than an old, dilapidated, old fashioned one, if it was to be restored to its former, deco state, not refurbished into a new better looking design.

And, this would make the whole of Port Street look better. In the article, a Mr Jacobs, who owns the Hampton's newsagents, said that Port Street was the main route in from Broadway, and its not very nice. If the Regal were to be refurbished or demolished, then it would surely raise the appeal of the entire of Port Street.

JAMES WOOLGAR, Lavender Walk, Evesham.