THE trade and townspeople in Bishop Auckland are always complaining about the opening of the retail park at St Helens causing all the shops shutting in Newgate Street.

I disagree with this as there’s only one shop that closed in the town centre due to this – Home Bargains. The rest have moved in from out of town.

There’s only about six shops there – all the rest are fast food places – a betting shop and a charity shop of which they are in abundance down the town centre.

The football ground was relocated down to St Helens but we’re still awaiting for a footpath to get there. I also wonder if the multiplex cinema is still going to be built or do the people of Bishop Auckland have to run past all the art galleries at speed to make it look like a moving screen? Never mind, there might be a seat in the upper circle on the market tower.

Please don’t make this town get a new name of Rubbishop Auckland.

J Siddle, Bishop Auckland