I have a shop in Walmgate where most of the traders are small family businesses who all take pride in their shops and office premises.

It would appear however the city council does not take the same pride in its own premises.

It is sad to see the middle section of Piccadilly becoming ever more derelict. One of the greatest eyesores in this street is the former Reynards building which not long ago was identified as one of the city's blackspots in the Evening Press.

Astonishingly enough this building is owned by our very own city council.

The council's stewardship of this building since Reynards moved out has been questionable.

For a brief period the council allowed the Megazone to occupy the property but even though this closed some years ago, it has kept the property derelict and boarded up yet still garishly painted.

In the city council's Local Plan this site is allocated for redevelopment with 20 "affordable housing" units. The site is shown as being in public ownership, and the plan also shows there is an above average shortage of affordable housing in this ward. So why aren't they getting on with it?

I hope we shall not be told that the city council sees a connection between this housing site and the retail development opposite. The shopping centre has been under discussion for many years and there is no real sign that it is likely to happen. The council has a duty to residents and visitors alike to improve and maintain its buildings, they should start with the Piccadilly area.

Joy Plaskitt,

Plaskitt & Plaskitt,

Walmgate,

York.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.