I KNOW Steve Carroll was trying to be controversial in his Diary article 'Website backs council leader', (December 2), but sometimes the people of York forget so quickly what a contribution the Barbican Centre made to the city.

The centre has had more than ten million customers through its doors since it opened in 1991.

Before then where would you have had such a wide variety of shows and events from Tom Jones to Katie Melua, Robbie Williams to Peter Kay and the UK Snooker Championship to the Festival of Remembrance?

I used to be part of the management team at the Barbican for nearly 12 years and now work in another concert venue outside York. I know from speaking to many theatre managers in the region that they would kill for the variety and calibre of concerts the the Barbican staged.

After the "refurbishment", many of the acts will not return for years if at all.

The Barbican also had a fantastic range of sporting facilities for all ages, abilities and pockets. The staff and customers have been treated appallingly during the past few years by York Leisure Office. It has promised the world and so far has delivered nothing.

The fitness class relocations are a sham; three council pools were all closed at one point last month, Oaklands Sports Centre will be closing for up to 12 months next year for a refurbishment programme. Where will you relocate the staff and customers then, Mr Croft?

I say to Coun Galloway and Charlie Croft build your "new and improved Barbican" and once completed the people of York will truly realise what an asset they have lost.

Richard Batterby,

Bowling Green Court, York.

Updated: 10:28 Wednesday, December 08, 2004