Sir, - Does the Yorkshire Co-operative Society really expect us to believe its feeble excuse that out of town shopping competition was responsible for the demise of its business in Guisborough (D&S, Jan 12)?

Had it been said of a family-run company faced with the enormous competition from the multiples I could have understood it. But it is itself a large organisation with branches all over Yorkshire and is backed by the buying power of the huge Co-operative Wholesale Society.

Are we to assume that the whole of the organisation is in trouble and will also be closing down?

In the past the premises on Westgate provided many and various services from butchery, grocery, hardware, haberdashery and even tailoring. It used to belong to the members and a vital part of the community.

People could save through the 'divi' from the purchases . Payment of this has long been discontinued and I assumed that, to keep faith with the principles of the Co-operative Movement, prices would be much lower to compensate. This does not appear to be the case and begs the question , what are the profits used for? Who makes the decisions? The Co-op is a retail organisation different from others which have a boards of directors who are responsible to shareholders. As a member of Yorkshire Co-operative Society I have never been told or consulted about the plan to close down the Guisborough operation.

It would a seem that all that is required is for a manager to feel that it is inconvenient to have a store so far away from the main office in Bradford for this to take place.

Perhaps this is a salutary lesson to those who advocate stronger links with Yorkshire. Guisborough has had a long tradition of Co-operative service. It is a tragedy that this will no longer be so.

ALAN ELLIOTT

Westgate,

Guisborough.

Not consulted

Sir, - I reply to Anthea Aldous's letter "Parking is Critical" (D&S Feb 9).

The council's removal of parking spaces near Bakehouse Square in Guisborough to provide an unnecessary taxi rank was carried out without consulting myself or any other ward councillor.

I took this up with Redcar & Cleveland Council as soon as it was done and I can now report that this taxi rank will now become disabled drivers' parking bays during the day and revert to a taxi rank after 6pm very shortly.

As to the traffic lights near to the market cross, when the council consulted about the proposals (done before there were any Conservative councillors from the town on the borough council) only 153 responses were in favour. I was one of 65 who wanted no change.

Myself and many of the other Conservative councillors now in Guisborough and Lord Gisborough have had a site visit with Ralph Ferguson (Director of Technical Services) and have asked him to re-address the problems that these lights have caused.

I can assure the people of Guisborough and visitors to the town that I will keep on at the council until we can get a better scheme.

Coun BILL CLARKE

Beaufort Close,

Guisborough.

Great dame

Sir, - I can understand the upset and distress being felt by Mr Michael Dodsworth at your reviewer's description of him as "Northallerton's number one drag artist" (D&S, Feb 2).

I have attended the Northallerton pantomime with a group of school children regularly over the past 15 years. It is always great fun, brilliantly produced and highly entertaining for both children and adults alike, a truly professional show.

I do not know Mr Dodsworth, but can say that since taking over the Dame's role he has delighted audiences. We can only hope that he will ride this storm and continue to entertain. He would be a sad loss to the company.

ANGELA JONES

Sutton,

Thirsk.