Sir - I learnt some new facts this week. For instance, Oxford has had a market at the heart of the city for over a thousand years.

Two hundred and twenty five years ago, John Gwynn, architect of Magdalen Bridge, designed a covered building, originally (and still famous for) it only sold meat with over 40 butchers. Last Saturday I was down there that is the Covered Market.

We've decided to abandon the supermarkets (who lately collaborate to fix our prices) and ultimately do us a disservice to shop locally. However, the main issue is, I couldn't help noticing the poster for 'save our market'.

Apparently some of the shops are facing 51 per cent income rises if not more. It seems our council is hell bent on ruining some of the best attractions in Oxford. A simple solution would be to increase rents in line with inflation, my guess is over the last five years that equates to no more than 15 per cent.

If you have just voted for your councillor you may want to ask them where they stand on this issue, if not insist. Oh, by the way I'll be down there next Saturday. Keep it a secret, as if it gets too busy I may not be able to buy those Merguez sausages I like so much, and I'm not telling you who sells them.

Carl Heneghan, East Oxford