I am surprised that, living where he does, John Walker (“Need a new reputation” 26th August) has obviously not seen much of the evident deprivation in Boscombe that I have witnessed through walking round the area for some years whilst working for a local letting agency.

And what has happened to the so-called Boscombe regeneration?

There seem to be more empty premises than ever, and I’ve just heard that Evans is about to close.

As someone who was born and brought up in this area I do indeed remember it as a “fair town”, but would now welcome anyone offering new “hope” wherever they may come from!

David Brown,

Harting Road,

Bournemouth