Andy Scaife's remarks about York's Newgate Market (Letters, May 8) are very wrong.

People of York have used these facilities and have got to know all the traders by their Christian names down the years. When I shop in the Newgate Market it is like meeting old family friends.

The flowers, fruit, fish and butcher's stalls all add to the atmosphere.

Go along any day, especially on a Saturday morning, and there are home-made jams, pickles, home-baked pies, fresh eggs etc.

But no "cheap tat".

I am one of four generations to use Newgate Market and I say long may it survive.

Mrs B Pettitt,

Rosemary Place,

Navigation Road,

York.

Updated: 16:27 Friday, May 07, 2004