TO DESCRIBE the presence in Oxford of some 7,000 prospective students for an open day as an ‘invasion’ (‘Commuters warned of uni open day invasion,’ September 14) could perhaps be contrasted with the predicted ‘invasion’ of 15 million or more people per annum to the Westgate II, due to open on October 24.

Sara Fuge, the Westgate II development manager, was cited in the Oxford Mail (May 19) to the effect that Westgate II will bring with it ‘a rising tide’ which ‘will lift all boats’ for the Westgate’s retailers.

Given that rising tides are components of the sort of devastating hurricanes just experienced in the Caribbean and the USA, this was perhaps not the best choice of metaphor.

As for the Westgate tidal surge contrasted with Oxford University’s imminent open day, Ronald Reagan’s “you ain’t seen nothin’ yet” comes to mind. Storm shelters at the ready!

BRUCE ROSS-SMITH 
Bowness Avenue, Headington