SIR, — In response to Patricia Maziane s letter (Hers Advertiser, June 5) with regards to the Alban Arena half-empty cinema presentations. Trying to compare this multi-usage venue, which is advertising just one film for the rest of June, to the usual ac

SIR, - In response to Patricia Maziane's letter (Hers Advertiser, June 5) with regards to the Alban Arena half-empty "cinema" presentations. Trying to compare this multi-usage venue, which is advertising just one film for the rest of June, to the usual activities of a mainstream cinema is misleading. Many of the film presentations are art-house or carefully-selected movies that will rarely pull in a full-house.

St Albans has a real need for a cinema that shows the latest family-based releases as well as the good old blockbusters. The Odeon was a great venue before it closed down and in the 1950s we had three cinemas. At the moment, a visit to the pictures involves jumping into the car - are we the only city in the UK not to have its own cinema? Indeed, it could be argued that St Albans is the home of cinema - Arthur Melbourne-Cooper, born on London Road, pioneered the first 20 years of moving pictures. So come on, bring on that suggested opinion poll: who would use a cinema in St Albans? I forecast enough folk to make very good money for some brave investor.

TIM FIRMIN,

New England Street, St Albans.