SIR - It is time senior political leaders learned to hear the genuine concerns about Bradford's economic and social situation.

Last year, Bradford Council Leader Kris Hopkins asked George Alagiah to apologise for comments in his book on segregation and some negative consequences of multi-culturalism in Bradford.

Now, Councillor Mallinson's reaction to the Bishop of Bradford's description of Broadway as a "hole in the heart of Bradford" as timely "bizarre and very harsh".

In the light of two very simple economic facts, I've doubts about the regeneration success of this project on completion: 1. Bradford has a low wage, low skill, lower than national per capita earnings economy, unlikely to attract well-off customers.

2. Nearby, shopping centres in Leeds offer much wider choices and are potential competitors. Furthermore, customers that Bradford has lost are difficult to attract back.

A month ago, I visited Westfield Centre, Derby. It was full of people, not all customers.

On general inquiry some shop owners and stallholders expressed misgivings about their long-term presence in the centre.

They feared poor profits because of high rents, low income shoppers and competition from stores in Nottingham. Surely, Bradford can learn something from that.

Dr Ramindar Singh, Chatsworth Road, Pudsey