HAVING read your article on Pepper and Oz and the recommendation to refuse the canopy and planters outside the restaurant, I can only think, oh dear, here we go again, our planning department still living in the dark ages!

Malvern Hills District Council planners have again gone to their reference library pulled out all their parchments and books on reasons "why not" rather than referring to the book of reasons "why to" filed in the modern section of their establishment.

Do they not understand what Malvern town centre needs to attract people? Do they not understand that time has moved on, that people enjoy a cafe culture society all over the world? Do they not understand how difficult it is to be in business? Do they not understand how this type of street scene enhances an attractive part of the town without spoiling our heritage? Do they not understand that change is not necessarily bad just because it is different?

What I cannot understand is how Birmingham, Exeter, Gloucester, London etc have changed their street scenes, come into today's world, opened up areas for the enjoyment of people and business, after all they must be governed by similar planning legislation. My only conclusion is that they must have planning departments with a positive attitude.

Great Malvern has got to move forward and re-invent itself if it is to survive.

This cannot be done without the backing of our planning department, which needs to develop a positive approach. Restaurants have got to open the hours that customers require, cafes need to offer outside well presented seated areas.

Without this approach we are doomed. If our planners want Great Malvern to succeed, help don't hinder, follow what has happened in other towns, move with the times.

It can be done, we've seen it done elsewhere. Come to the party, work with the business community and together we will attract the visitors and locals to the town centre and make it the talk of the Midlands.

If you don't want us to succeed please stand up and declare your case.

JOHN BROOK, Mathon Road, Malvern.