AS ONE door closes another opens. Unfortunately, the closing door is that of Space 109, while the opening door appears to be that of the Arts Barge.

One is a thriving community arts centre used by many diverse local groups from yoga to stitching; the other a vanity project which satisfies no local need other than that of Coun Sonja Crisp’s ambition to waste more of the city’s budget following the disastrous light show in Museum Gardens.

A one-off Arts Barge for a limited time in the summer is one thing; a year-round Arts Barge paid from city funds another thing altogether. The river floods, barges need maintenance. In any event, which is more important; a facility which has proved its local worth or another that will be used by the same people who are already well provided for by the theatres, City Screen and the Barbican?

Nick Derbyshire, South Esplanade, York.