THE seemingly-likely closure of the Professional Music Technology store to make way for Travelodge is the very epitome of the battle for the identity of Oxford’s Cowley Road.

Tonight councillors will decide whether to approve plans for a restaurant where PMT currently trades.

If approved it will be part of the proposed Travelodge for the Cowley Road.

But protesters lament this as yet another erosion of the identity of one of the city’s most iconic streets, another step towards becoming a ‘faceless’ high street.

It must be pointed out that PMT is itself part of a chain with 10 stores across England.

But the argument is there over what type of Cowley Road we are ending up with.

Unfortunately for those who value the identity of our communities, such philosophical points don’t count.

Money and property ownership is usually the loudest voice that wins this argument.