REFURBISHMENT of the Corn Exchange, in St Ives, is a golden opportunity to further enhance our very attractive town. That it has taken the town council committee five years to reach the conclusion that restoration is not viable is, at the very least, unf

REFURBISHMENT of the Corn Exchange, in St Ives, is a golden opportunity to further enhance our very attractive town.

That it has taken the town council committee five years to reach the conclusion that restoration is not viable is, at the very least, unfortunate.

Those who recently formed Action Corn Exchange are convinced that, by forming a trust able to attract grants and raise funds, the Corn Exchange can be retained for the benefit of the people of St Ives.

It is understood that people with a range of professional skills are offering their services to the group.

This is a never-to-be-repeated opportunity to provide a first-class meeting place in the centre of the town, and I urge the town council and people of St Ives not to let it slip away. The Action Corn Exchange group should be given the opportunity to come up with a plan to save this historic building for the town.

PETER ROSE

Queens Close

St Ives

I REMEMBER St Ives councillors saying some time ago that the town council's offices would move into the redeveloped Corn Exchange so that their present accommodation - the rather fine Stanley House bought by the council in 1924 for £1,200 - could be sold. Add the proceeds to the £500,000 already in the kitty and the £1.4million required should be within reach.

So what is the problem? Councillors have dithered for five years since the community was deprived of its Corn Exchange. Another five years, say some elderly townspeople, and they'll be dead and buried before it is restored to use.

STUART LITTLEWOOD

Hemingford Grey