IT is very disconcerting that Beales, the department store in Bishop Auckland, has abandoned its plans to reopen.

The management of the store stated that there is little chance of the store being a success because of the state of trading in the high street.

Along with high streets throughout the country the high street in Bishop Auckland has been adversely affected by new trends in shopping such as buying goods and services over the internet.

There is little the high street traders can do in the face of this competition.

Also, an unfair market exists in the retail industry. High street retailers have to pay large business rates whilst internet companies do not. The Government knows about this unfairness but has done very little to remedy it.

Consequently Bishop Auckland has many empty buildings. I realise that plans are being implemented to improve Bishop Auckland by carrying out developments in Auckland Castle and in the Market Place. The work done so far bodes well for the future of the town.

However measures are still needed to rid the town of its empty buildings by demolishing some and converting the remainder into other uses.

Andrew Dowson, Bishop Auckland