THE high street can never be the same as it was yesterday.

Cars and parking are a big factor at the out-of-town Castle Point, Dolphin and Sovereign centres. I went to the Dolphin yesterday and it was packed with people, warm and comfortable.

I remember Boscombe and Pokesdown as it was – a vibrant area with shops and cinemas, busy.

But it’s all gone.

It would be far better to turn all these empty shops into flats and help with the housing shortage. We can’t turn the clock back.

DOREEN COOK, Brownsea Road, Poole