SIR, — While I think it was a good idea to utilise the ground floor of the beautifully-refurbished Old Town Hall, why does St Albans always seem to miss the boat when it comes to prestige projects. I refer to the decor of the new restaurant. What on earth

SIR, - While I think it was a good idea to utilise the ground floor of the beautifully-refurbished Old Town Hall, why does St Albans always seem to miss the boat when it comes to prestige projects. I refer to the decor of the new restaurant. What on earth were our planners thinking of when they allowed the bar structure to virtually obscure the newly-painted and restored plaster ceiling? What was the point of spending vast sums of tax payers' money on the refurbishment only to have it covered up a few weeks later by a fake wooden facade?

Living in a listed house myself, I am well aware of the restrictions placed by the planning and conservation officers on private owners of these buildings, limiting the extent of any alterations. It is a pity that they don't place the same restrictions on historical buildings owned by the council when dealing with a commercial organisation.

GEOFF DYSON,

College Street, St Albans.