IN response to the letter from Rosemary Williams (Your Letters, October 10), I thought as current freeholder, with my sister, of London House, Barnards Green, I could fill in some of the missing gaps surrounding the history.

After Stan Smith sold the business it was owned by Harold and Molly Robinson until 1965, when it was bought by my father Geoff who owned it until his retirement in 1982. Throughout this time it was solely a gents' outfitters.

When Mrs Hale and Mrs Downs took over that year they commenced selling ladies clothes in addition and, as the market dictated, slowly phased out the sale of gents clothing. Regrettably, it was not possible for the last owners to sell as a going concern, as customers seem more inclined nowadays to buy their clothes from chain stores. Whether we like it or not, the sorts of businesses that are well supported are discount stores and increasingly bookmakers.

I can assure Mrs Williams the works proposed by Needwood will greatly enhance the condition of the building and generally be vastly superior to their current premises. The discount store will be moving to new premises in Barnards Green next year.

Max Falconer, London House

Barnards Green.