IT IS very sad to see the Royal Arcade, Boscombe with so many empty shops. Elegant marble halls are of no use without the bustling lively shops to give them purpose. The loss of the cafe with all its outside tables is keenly felt. Equally, the racks of cards and books and widely varied merchandise outside the shops gave pleasure to customers and must have increased sales – which is what it is all about.

SHELAGH MITCHELL, Meadow Road, Charlton Marshall, Blandford