NEWS that retail chains are interested in a huge shop space in Coney Street, York, was an interesting piece of journalism by Ron Godfrey (Sporty Space, Business Press, December 6).

It was well written and was an example of how the law of supply and demand works in a capitalist system.

At £350,000 per year, exclusive of rates, the weekly rent would be in the order of £7,000 for the site.

It does appear to me the capitalist system only applies to the private sector - if we compare what City of York Council is reported to be leasing the Barbican Centre to Absolute Leisure Ltd for.

A 250-year lease priced at £750,000 works out at about £57 per week.

This seems a pity because if publicly-owned properties commanded similar charges perhaps council tax would not have to increase by the 7.5 per cent, as reported in the same edition of the Evening Press.

J T Wartho,

Eastfield Lane,

Dunnington,

York.

Updated: 11:00 Friday, December 09, 2005