SIR – At my age, I look back to the past rather than to the future, but it is good to remember happy times.

I saw Laurel and Hardy leaving the Midland Hotel to appear at the Alhambra.

As I sat in the Arndale Centre, I thought of the old Kirkgate Market – there was a flower stall at the top of the stairs, Powell’s music and book stall, all the popular cafes, Baxandalls, Redmans, and a wonderful toy stall to name but a few, and it was quite something to stand on the grates from whence flowed hot air – very popular on a cold day!

I looked around the Arndale Centre, A giant of a young man reluctantly followed his girlfriend into Jane Norman’s and the pound shop was as busy as ever.

Greggs seemed to have sold every other person a sandwich or sausage roll, and some tried to eat and make a phone call at the same time. Is there anyone who doesn’t have a mobile phone?

Some of the mothers pushing prams around the city centre didn’t look old enough to be out of school.

I had looked at the past, watched the present and saw the babies as the future.

Dennis Delaney, The Avenue, Clayton