It has been reported in various parts of the media – BBC TV, radio and some newspapers – that retailers in York, especially those in central York, had noticed a drop in customers of about 80,000 compared with previous Christmas times.

Is there any wonder that shoppers are down ?

Access to and from central York is abysmal, parking facilities are either far too expensive or non-existent, and public transport is not much use when you have many heavy and large loads to carry or cope with. On top of that hundreds, if not thousands, of people are in fear of losing their jobs in 2011, so they must save and plan accordingly.

Spending vast sums and much time on Christmas shopping is not an option to many.

David Quarrie, Lynden Way, Acomb, York.