York's Odeon is more than just a cinema. Those who fail to see this are as shortsighted as those who wanted rid of the city walls and other York landmarks we value today.

'Close the Odeon', argues Mr Leo Enticknap (Letters, February 5). Although the cinema has been neglected for decades, this is no reason to close it down and lose a key city centre entertainment venue. With sensitive refurbishment and the co-operation of the city council (which now seems lacking) the Odeon can attract back many cinema-goers.

The building is unique in the context of York's architectural heritage in that it is probably the only Art Deco building still being used for the purpose it was built - a cinema.

Closing and converting it to flats will not solve the housing shortage. The campaign to save the Odeon is nothing to do with the "not in my back yard" attitude. It is about protecting part of York's cultural heritage and ensuring everyone has access to a city centre entertainment venue without having to travel out of town.

Just as those in the past fought to save the city walls and other historical buildings, we need to do the same today to save the Odeon.

Hopefully we will be successful so future generations can enjoy a Art Deco building and cinema.

I write this as a campaigner who has not "paid off their mortgage"!

Gary Haq,

Wolsley Street,

York.

...I TOO have fond memories of the Odeon from the 1960s when all the seats were full and people queued outside.

In recent years my friends and I have been visiting the Odeon again regularly and have seen some good films at a reasonable price. Unfortunately even the seats for the smaller screens are very rarely full.

Nostalgia is not good enough. It needs the people of York of all ages to show more enthusiasm for our Odeon then, hopefully, there will be no hesitation about going ahead with the much-needed refurbishment.

Anne Horner,

Carrington Avenue,

Poppleton Road, York.

Updated: 11:30 Thursday, February 12, 2004