Sir – I often go to Summertown to classes at Ewert House and then always go to the Oxfam shop and often to the bank, the bookshop and other shops. I use the printing facility.

It may be that at present — with the economic problems we — and much of the world — are still facing that rents are too high and owners might be well advised to drop them for the short term — say, a year — to encourage new businesses to get started and existing buildings to stay.

It would be very sad if Summertown did not remain as a local shopping area.

Deborah Manley, Oxford