PETER BARRONS Eating Out review in Saturday's Weekender (Nov 19) was, for me, quite telling.

Not the fact that the Stables, Wynyard was a pleasant pub/restaurant nor the fact that he and his late-teens daughter both enjoyed the experience, but the tail-end of the article revealed all.

Both punters, young and old, were in agreement that piped music featuring an X-Factor reject was totally inappropriate.

Now this is a situation no one ever seems to complain about. Why?

Angst-ridden musical tirades causing grievous bodily harm to the eardrums by, for example, that well-known song murderer Christina Aguliera, is a highly unsuitable way to enjoy pleasant conversation.

Trying to savour a decent pint and having suffer the latest chart-topper, a position gained by being downloaded by thousands of 12-year-olds, is, to put it mildly, a sure way to empty a pub.

No wonder licensed premises are closing by their thousands. I dont think the two are unrelated. Why pay up to four quid for a pint of lager while listening to obnoxious music, when you could be sat at home with a cheap beer listening the music you enjoy?

Pub and restaurant managers simply havent a clue when it comes to suitable music to match the ambiance of their establishments.

I recently visited an olde worlde pub in a pleasant setting on the banks of the Thames. Previous patrons had included Henry VIII and Charles Dickens. So what was on the playlist? Eighties disco tunes. Old Henry and Charles must be spinning in their graves (possibly to the sound of Kool and the Gang).

Being able to read the mood of an establishment and provide appropriate background music is as important as keeping a well-conditioned pint.

Joe Tindall, Hartlepool.