The original concept for a scaled-down project, suggested by Nottingham-based architects Letts Wheeler, involved paving work and public art to properly define the concept of dividing the square into two triangles, one for traders and the other as a public triangular piazza.

By not following the detailed infrastructure of the plan, which was designed to emphasise the two distinct areas, the recent attempt to change the market does little else than make it appear as if the market has simply shrunk.

The ill-defined empty "civic space" now looks abandoned, with no sense of form, order or purpose.

Although filling the empty zone with the recent and successful French market worked well, events of that kind can only represent brief episodes, punctuating the considerable periods of barren time that would inevitably fall between events.

Unless strongly defined by landmark groundwork, square or oblong stalls can never fit neatly into triangular areas and they might always appear a formless and untidy mess.

A more practical and logical way to reduce the number of stalls to suit the present day needs would be to adopt a cruciform layout, with wide, open avenues running north/south and east/west.

Any one quarter could be enlarged when required to accommodate innovative market concepts (such as the French promotion) and the open, yet compact, plan of the new market "squares" would have a robust presence and be clearly visible to all visitors.

Each quarter could adopt its own image or offer, providing a desirable identity and appeal to shoppers.

In addition, the central focal point, best left empty at first, could be opened to a competition, perhaps especially to local artists, to design an appropriate permanent installation to provide a unique statement of our county-town heritage.

The cost of this transformation would not be out of reach, as little structural change would be required.
J S Sheinman,
Member of Northampton Borough Council Market Square Client Group.

Look at Belgium
I have just returned from the Muselle Valley, Brodenbach, Germany, to find out that Councillor Richard Church is again ignoring the market traders and the people of Northampton with his views on what is good for us!

Tomorrow I go to Oostende, Belgium, for a week.

Both places have excellent markets doing a roaring trade, especially Oostende, where the market fills four squares and everything is available.

The local buses drop off alongside the markets, so transporting home your purchases is easy.

Perhaps if Councillor Church would like to find out how to do it, he would be spared by the council to visit.

His views will only shut the market and he will be gone soon, along with his dire party, and we pick up the pieces yet again.
Alan Johns,
Sentinel Road, West Hunsbury, Northampton.

Role gives insight into blindness
Playing a blind character in the current BBC TV series Beautiful People has given me an insight into what it might be like to live with blindness.

In preparation, I met blind and partially-sighted people who showed me how they successfully go about their lives. But it also made me value my sight.

Every day in the UK, 100 people begin to lose their sight but, shockingly, half of sight loss can be avoided.

That's why I'm supporting RNIB's Eye Health Week.

Regular eye tests are particularly important if you're Asian, African or Afro-Caribbean, as you are more at risk of certain eye diseases.

An eye test can spot a sight-threatening condition before you know you've got it and could save your sight!

For more information go to www.rnib.org.uk or call RNIB's Helpline on 0845 766 9999.
Meera Syal,
RNIB Supporter.

Recycle toilets
Re Viewpoint September 25, and Councillor Trinidad Crake boasting about her party's recycling performance, when is she and her party going to recycle the redundant toilets in Hunsbury Country Park and give us locals the proper clean, working toilets that a well-used 188-acre country park requires?

It will never be a cafe, as the costs and returns will never make it viable.

If she visited the park, she would see for herself what is required. We are not a million miles from town, just top of the Nene Valley.

But she should go to the loo first, as we have none here.
Alan Johns,
Sentinel Road, West Hunsbury, Northampton.

Space for waste
There is currently much publicity regarding domestic waste. Building companies are offering a large range of household fittings and other facilities but, as far as I am aware, there is nothing included in the offers to individuals for the dedicated storage of the multitude of wheelie bins that we are being asked to use, not even as an optional extra.

Why is this?
N Tyrrell,
Manorfield Close, Northampton.

A grand morning
As I'm sure you are aware, Friday, September 26 was the date of the Macmillan Cancer Support coffee morning. It saw thousands of people across the country getting together, with the aim of raising £8.5 million to provide relief for people suffering from this awful illness.

I would like to say a huge thank you to all those people that kindly supported the coffee morning held in The Park Cafe.

Their generosity ensured the morning was a great success and, combined with the raffle which continued throughout the weekend and the collection which followed Sunday's Band in the Bandstand, The Beer Parlour Jivers, it raised in excess of £1,000.

A special mention goes to Steffan the Jeweller for his most generous contribution.
Tony Ansell,
The Park Cafe, Abington Park, Northampton.

Bitter after-taste
Individual readers will evaluate the lavish praise Councillor John McGhee, leader of the opposition on Northamptonshire County Council, finds for Gordon Brown as detailed in his letter (Chronicle & Echo, September 27).

Personally, it is his concluding paragraphs I find interesting: "The Prime Minister said yesterday of the Tory Party perhaps they are simply salesmen who won't tell us what they are selling because they are selling something no-one should buy."

This, to a large extent, mirrors Gordon, the difference being the small print in Gordon's after sales warranties leaves a nasty, bitter taste in the mouth.
Jeffrey Webb,
Whitegates, West Hunsbury, Northampton.