COUNCILLOR Ashley Whalley is at it again -- telling folks what he wants (LET, February 19).

Maybe he will inform the readers why the council disposed of its share in the shopping precinct in the first place.

How much did the council receive in payment for the freehold? What did it spend this money on?

Standard Life's spokesman hits the nail on the head, with the simple fact that Blackburn centre needs more shoppers. Nowhere is that more evident than on the three-day market.

The gist of what be implies is that the shops in Lord Square are let on the cheap just to fill them.

Why doesn't the council understand that if it allows off-centre shopping centres like the Lower Audley complex, this in turn must have an adverse effect on shopping in the centre?

This is compounded by the Whitebirk centre, most of it actually in Hyndburn, but drawing much of its customers from within Blackburn. There is only a limited amount to spend on shopping.

What is more, because of what has happened in Blackburn over the years, when things get sticky there is no doubt the town centre will implode and the national multiples feeling the pinch will up sticks.

WALT MEADOWS, Whalley New Road, Blackburn.