SIR - I am shocked and horrified to find that the Priestley Centre for the Arts, formerly The Bradford Playhouse, is threatened with closure, due to lack of funding.

A large chunk of my childhood is about to disappear. I may not have been actively involved when I was younger, but the Playhouse was always there. It feels like I'm about to lose a favourite uncle.

Plans are afoot to regenerate areas of Bradford, as those who know about SRBs will be aware. However, these cannot help the Priestley Centre in its current crisis. What will be the point of improving our future if we lose the culture and history of our past?

It would be like planting a tree with no roots. For a while it might seem fine and even appear to flourish, but without proper foundations it will not have the strength to weather the smallest storm.

If the Priestley Centre closes, then I feel we will lose a major component of the heart and soul of Bradford.

Christiaan Hohenzollern has sweated blood to try and save the Priestley Centre. Surely the least we can do is support his efforts!

Mrs Suzanne Mitchell, Sandford Road, Bradford.

SIR - We are constantly bombarded with optimistic newspeak telling us that Bradford's not a dying city and is emerging from the ashes. And yet another piece of Bradford's heritage, the Priestley Centre, is in danger of disappearing.

Does the Council not realise that if the bid to be Capital of Culture is to succeed, then behind all the gloss there needs to be some cultural experience in the city apart from bars and shopping malls?

Perhaps some of the money spent on PR gurus and consultants should actually be spent on culture. Then, even if the bid fails, the city and its residents will have gained something for their money.

Otherwise, the Capital of Culture bid is in danger of becoming a victory of form over content.

Peter Tytarenko, Farcliffe Place, Bradford 8.

SIR - As president of The Bradford University Society of Operettas and Musicals, the news about the Priestley Centre has disheartened me.

The society is due to perform the musical Chess at the centre next March. Although this show will still go ahead, there is the distinct possibility that it will be the last show we can perform at this historic building.

I write to add the support of my society (currently 123 members and alumni) to the T&A's campaign to save the Centre.

I consider it scandalous that Bradford Council is bidding for the Capital of Culture status while allowing this small, intimate theatre, one of Britain's richest in terms of world premieres and history, to go down the pan.

The theatre supported us financially last year as the society ventured out of the University to reach a wider audience. They made a loss on us, but still invited us back and, in effect, ensured our survival.

The Priestley Centre is much more than a theatre. It underwrites a huge wealth of community talent that deserves to be heard by Bradford.

The Council should not be condemning it because of small audiences, but instead publicising it throughout West Yorkshire as is done for the Alhambra - the basket into which it puts all its eggs.

Peter Huntley, Cumberland Road, Lidget Green.

SIR - So people don't like shopping in Bradford because there is a lack of "quality retailers". So why do thousands of people continue to pass through the doors of the White Rose Centre which is packed with high street retailers and very few independent shops, while Bradford has virtually all the same shops and more plus a much larger range of independents? What is the problem?

Bradford now has a large modern department store with many new concessions including a Miss Selfridge and Oasis.

The modern Kirkgate Centre is due to open several new stores before Christmas. The pleasant pedestrianised precincts are packed with even more high street names.

I am so fed up of people being so critical about the city centre. Why don't these people come and see for themselves what Bradford has to offer? I am sure they will find it to be as safe as any other town or city centre with all the major high street names.

Stop being so critical and support your city centre.

Jack MacPherson, Killinghall Road, Bradford 3.

SIR - I just wanted to say that your report about Terrorvision was spot on. I travelled from London for the signing and the gig, and made my long-suffering friend get up at 3am "just in case" - but even she agreed that it was well worth it!

Terrorvision have always been by far the best performers that I have ever seen but they went all out for their last gig, excelling previous performances by far!

Thank you to the guys for going out on a high! I and many others are waiting eagerly and praying for a revival.

Tina Dennett, Wetherell Road, Hackney, London E9.