How sad it was to see the old Imperial Theatre in North Street, Brighton, in ruins after its demolition (Argus, March 14).

For 60-odd years it must have given pleasure to many thousands of people.

The site will now largely consist of retail outlets, as will most of the Hanningtons premises when it ceases trading this summer.

There are also a number of vacant shops on North Street's junction with New Road.

During the day, Brighton will definitely be the place to shop and drink frothy coffee until it comes out of your ears.

But come the evening, when you want to see a good show or musical in a traditional theatre, if there's nothing playing at the Theatre Royal, Eastbourne or Worthing might have something to your liking.

For a city, Brighton and Hove has fewer full-size theatres than any other in England. And what have we done about it?

-Gerald Oxley, Selborne Road, Hove