IN response to the article 'Traders in fight for free parking scheme' I keep hearing Mr Fitzpatrick say he wants free parking in Halesowen so that it will bring more shoppers into the town.

Mr Fitzpatrick, it is not the parking that is the issue, it is the lack of quality shops in Halesowen.

The town is no different to others up and down Britain, where locals are asking for free parking to solve their lack of customers. The problem actually is out-of -town shopping malls which have taken over the high street.

We have Merry Hill. It's never empty and if they charged a parking fee there, I still think it would be full.

It is where people want to shop because it's where all the quality shops are.

So for Halesowen to get more custom they have to offer the shopper what they want – M&S, Debenhams etc. real shops, instead of which we have seven cafes, lots of fast food places, lots of charity shops, oh we do have a WH Smiths, but quality shops no, I am afraid not.

Phil Walker Intended Street Halesowen