\n SORRY Mr Deamer and Mr Reed but I\u2019m afraid you\u2019ve both got it wrong on the Shambles area.\n<\/p>\n
\n The Shambles has turned into Diagon Alley where the famous Harry Potter purchased his magic wand and Hogwarts school requirements, not a Disneyland.\n<\/p>\n
\n Perhaps it is time to rename this ancient street accordingly \u2013 just about everything required for Hogwarts is on sale down the atmospheric, picturesque ancient street.\n<\/p>\n
\n Tourists, young and old, simply love it.\n<\/p>\n
\n Prime Minister Starmer might just fancy purchasing requirements for a summer school course at Hogwarts School \u2013 I think The Hat would most likely decide on Slytherin house for him.\n<\/p>\n
\n Myself, I\u2019d keep my fingers crossed for Gryffindor; sparks would certainly fly as our wands clashed.\n<\/p>\n
\n Mary Morton,\n<\/p>\n
\n Hob Moor Drive,\n<\/p>\n
\n Holgate, York\n<\/p>\n
\n —\n<\/p>\n
\n Shambles shops suitable for ‘selling specialist tourist tat’\n<\/p>\n
\n WHATEVER one may think of Harry Potter-type merchandise, or for that matter little ghost figurines, there is no way to prevent them being sold in Shambles under current planning legislation; nor should there be if they are not doing any harm.\n<\/p>\n
\n York is now dependent on visitors. Poky little shops in a medieval street are no longer suitable for what might be called regular retailing but are suitable for selling specialist tourist tat.\n<\/p>\n
\n The freehold owners of shops in Shambles could control what goods may or may not be sold but it would have a significant impact on the likely rental income. Wizard paraphernalia and little ghost figures are clearly in demand. Other stuff not so much.\n<\/p>\n
\n The Shambles is largely owned by York Council and it wouldn\u2019t want to reduce rents as a result of a restriction on selling goods that some people regard as tacky.\n<\/p>\n
\n Besides, the local authority has a duty to obtain best value from its assets to maximise financial input to the benefit of citizens.\n<\/p>\n
\n Of course the council doesn’t always comply with this obligation as can be seen at a controversial site in Piccadilly where \u201ctemporary\u201d containers are bringing an income less than one tenth of what could be achieved by a modest surface car park.\n<\/p>\n
\n Matthew Laverack,\n<\/p>\n
\n Lord Mayors Walk,\n<\/p>\n
\n York\n<\/p>\n
\n Green win is ‘triumph of hope over hate’\n<\/p>\n
\n T.J. DENTON (Letters, February 28) mistakenly thinks because Hannah Spencer, the first Green MP in northern England is a plumber (as was my late maternal grandfather) she will be able to “help the building programme”. She will be far too busy as an MP, diligently representing her constituents.\n<\/p>\n
\n As a veteran Green Party member \u2013 I joined when it was the Ecology Party \u2013 I was delighted to travel with my campaigning dog to Gorton and Denton last Thursday to help Hannah win.\n<\/p>\n
\n It was a massive team effort. Despite the pouring rain, we knocked on doors, gave out leaflets and thanked voters who told us they’d voted for Hannah.\n<\/p>\n
\n As I said to my teenage granddaughters yesterday, the Greens’ success in Gorton and Denton was a triumph of hope over hate.\n<\/p>\n
\n Ginnie Shaw\n<\/p>\n
\n Osbaldwick,\n<\/p>\n
\n York\n<\/p>\n
\n … I’VE recently joined the Green Party because it is the first time I’ve had hope for our politics in years.\n<\/p>\n
\n The Greens, led by Zack Polanski, are genuine, hard-working, and they really care about all of us.\n<\/p>\n
\n Gorton and Denton was no protest vote, but the culmination of many voters dissatisfied with Labour’s rightward slant, and inability to stand up to the far right and Trump’s USA.\n<\/p>\n
\n I think many York Labour voters will find a more comfortable home now with the Greens.\n<\/p>\n
\n Serena Stampfer\n<\/p>\n
\n South Bank,\n<\/p>\n
\n York\n<\/p>\n
\n What do you think?\n<\/p>\n