I OWN the hairdressing salon opposite Shipton Street school and have been trading there for nearly 20 years. The degeneration of the area that has taken place over the past few years is a disgrace.

The proposal by the council to move the Arc Light Centre into the school would be the final nail in the coffin of what used to be a close-knit community.

Over the past few months we have had five windows smashed at the salon, a CCTV camera has been pulled down, graffiti on the windows and paint daubed on the road.

Added to this is intimidation by the drug users in the area, staff and customers' cars being vandalised and bikes stolen - and we surely must have what must be the worst parking problem in York.

How dare they even consider giving us more problems by moving in a 24-hour hostel, some of the residents of which have been featured in the Press for committing drugs, drink and other offences.

We have begun a petition in the salon and already have more than 200 signatures from residents and clients opposed to the scheme.

Jill Loft,

Jill's Unisex Salon,

Baker Street, York.

Updated: 10:37 Monday, July 25, 2005