I WONDER whether other residents of Darlington would agree with me that it is no longer a pleasure to “shop at Binns” on High Row.

The store, now owned by House of Fraser has recently been refurbished, and it must have cost a fortune, but I feel it has lost all its character.

Firstly, the music is so loud and so unwelcoming and is more suitable for a nightclub.

One cannot think straight with that kind of background noise going on.

Secondly, the entrance doors are so terribly heavy for the elderly to push or pull open. Granted there is one automatic door at the front of the shop, but you have to be in that vicinity in order to use it.

Thirdly, if the shop has not got an item in stock, they will kindly offer to order it online. But you will have 30 minutes of waiting while the transaction goes through the computer and there are no chairs to sit down on, so again, this is not for the elderly.

It is a shame, because Darlington needs Binns and Binns needs Darlington.

I would be interested to hear what other residents think.

Ann Hedworth, Darlington