YOU ask for opinions on revising shopping times. As a pensioner and ex-headmaster, I should like to make the following points.

Older people, especially pensioners, do not like to go in town at night. It is a time for younger people pubbing and clubbing, and older people do not feel safe. We want to shop mainly before lunch time when we have most energy. I was told by a stallholder in the Market Place that one Thursday between 5pm and 9pm, she took £15, and it was not worthwhile being open.

We are now reading a lot in the newspapers about parents controlling their children's behaviour. They cannot do this if they are working in shops or out shopping when their children are at home. We hear about the efforts being made to improve children's literacy and numeracy. This cannot be done without the help of the parents to oversee the homework they are given and to show concern and supervision of how they spend their leisure time.

Eric Calderbank

Thorncliffe Road, Sharples

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