I read fellow readers' comments on their experiences when shopping in Brighton with interest.

Although I no longer live there, I visit the city regularly. There are lots of shops and I enjoy the bustle. However, it doesn't have what it used to and lacks something. Many of us miss Hanningtons although, I'm sure from a business point of view its owners did well, I feel they let us down.

One of the best things any Brighton council has ever done was to build the Brighton Centre.

One of the worst things any Brighton council could do would be to demolish or downsize it, in favour of building more shops.

This is at a time when the city's second busiest shopping area, London Road, is in serious decline.

Listening to the young people where I work, they seem to do much of their shopping on the internet. Do we really need more shops in an area recognised as being the entertainment hub of Brighton?

Prior to the separation of the county into east and west, Brighton was always a well-kept, spick-and-span place. The parks and gardens were always kept to a standard so high, few towns could hope to compete with us.

The Valley Gardens, with their fountains at either end, were immaculate. I can't bear to look when that old Brighton Festival tent is on them - it really sums up the tacky side of Brighton.

Despite its city status, it is, after all, still only a seaside resort. But I still love the place, darn it.

-Ian Steedman, Worthing