Charlie Yates's letter was offensive and exclusive. I would remind him the reputation of Brighton being brash and Hove genteel is a wonderful legacy of cultural diversity - a home to many and a playground to all.

Sadly, when Hanningtons closed its doors for the last time, another door shut and the link with this legacy was broken.

Mr Yates's progressive city had arrived - exclusive in entertainment to a generation who like thumping, mind-numbing Muzak as they drink their frothy coffee and quaff their wine and vodka alcopops with high-caffeine chasers, not to mention drugs.

Meanwhile, the excluded and bilious old must rest content at home, fair game to a few colourful individuals if they dare venture out at night.

When I see these progressive, intelligent, colourful individuals prepared to pay £160,000 for a basement flat when they could buy a mansion for the same price along the coast, it amuses me.

I wonder who has gone mad and hope the bilious old take full advantage.

In due course, the over-32s will follow the bilious old to the same bandstand seats in Worthing and Eastbourne to listen to some octo-rock star of their generation.

I'm sorry I will not be there to see them all turn their hearing aids up to catch the tune.

No doubt they will mutter "really cool" to each other and other outmoded phrases. If Mr Yates is one of them, he may then understand the purpose of my letter.

-Steven Sharpie, Wilmington Way, Brighton