AS A long-time resident of Summertown, I was naturally interested in the views expressed in Bob Howse’s letter (Viewpoints, October 4).

Summertown has indeed become more ‘exclusive’ over the years, but times change and places change accordingly.

Where I agree with Mr Howse concerns the lack of some quite fundamental amenities in the Summertown area.

For instance, do we really need both a Costa and a Starbucks, when there is not even one post office to hand?

To her credit, Councillor Jean Fooks (with others) has campaigned tirelessly for a post office facility to be restored to Summertown but without (as yet) any conspicuous sign of success.

Mr Howse also laments the death of pubs in the area. Although he has overlooked the Dew Drop Inn, this nonetheless remains the sole pub in Summertown, whereas not so very long ago there were four hostelries in the vicinity – as well as a chippy!

But, as I said, times change and so do neighbourhoods. The decline of pubs is a much-reported national phenomenon. Blair’s smoking ban, cheap booze in supermarkets – we have heard it all before.

I think your correspondent is right about the singularly named Summertown Wine Café. Quite simply, as did the excellent Lemon Tree, it priced itself out of the market. I used to drink there occasionally with an acquaintance. It was a lovely place to visit – but the prices!

However, Mr Howse is quite wrong to impute the same to the Big Bang in Jericho.

The greed of developers, not exclusiveness and expense, led to the closure of that. Prices at the Big Bang were always most reasonable and the standard of cuisine unfailingly high.

The Big Bang (as your paper reports) has just re-opened in the Castle complex: I hope it will continue to thrive!

NICHOLAS WILSON Summerhill Road Summertown