I WAS amazed when I saw the front page picture of Church Street, Malvern, in the Malvern Gazette of October 18 - the lack of vehicles and people was unbelievable. I wondered what had caused this bizarre happening - had someone shouted "Fire"!

I say this because I have never before seen Church Street so deserted - in fact the following Monday, mid-morning, I happened to be there, and there was the usual abundance of vehicles and people.

Also, what a pity the Gazette chose to take a photograph the very week that Stead & Simpson's was boarded up, making Church Street look derelict, whereas a week later there was a lively new shop front, namely, Clinton Cards.

MRS J EDGERTON, Barrett Rise, Malvern.

n Editor's Note: While the inclusion of Stead & Simpson in our photograph was done for impact, the emptiness of Church Street was just a coincidence, although it is not an unusual sight, even in the summer months.

We believe Great Malvern town centre can thrive and that more speciality shops is the way forward, but they won't work without people.

What is needed is a combination of imaginative environmental schemes, like Mr Beard's suggestion (Your Letters, October 25) of terracing Church Street, and new visitor attractions. How about a cable car running from the post office site!?