UNFORTUNATELY the Coppergate II centre (July 6) will not offer the consumer greater choice. It will have exactly the same stores and products we can find today at Clifton Moor, Monks Cross, Naburn and to a certain extent in the city centre itself.

Why? Because the cost of ownership, or the cost of renting/leasing these locations, ensures that only the 'big or volume retailers' can afford to be in them.

It is almost guaranteed that in Coppergate we will find the same old names cropping up as we do all around the country.

All this does is hasten the closure of small businesses, which are the places where we get the alternative items to differentiate ourselves from the fashion slaves.

Good on all of those who write to object. It is the local planners who need to sit up and listen. Richard Akers, of Land Securities, has a vested interest; all he wants to do is sell the space, after this has been accomplished he will go and do the same somewhere else.

He is not kidding anyone, or is he, York planners?

W Clark,

Swan Close,

Deighton, York.

...HAVING followed your recent story regarding the proposed Coppergate development, I am concerned that the Evening Press should be supporting further retail development in the heart of our city.

I feel that the development will detract from the heritage and vitality of historic York on which so much of this area ultimately depends. I also feel that while Piccadilly should be re-developed in some way (without all the new shops) the area around Clifford's Tower should be devoted as an open space for visitors and tourists.

In addition, I am worried about the potential drift of the heart of the city away from its core, and the sheer amount of retail space proposed which is disproportionate to the heart of York.

Nigel Adams,

Stockton Grange,

Stockton on the Forest,

York.