SHAWLANDS' main streets seem a bit sad at the moment. There are still many excellent retailers but the whole area needs a revamp (Evening Times, Shabby shopping streets' £60m revamp cash bid, June 5).

It's about time decisions were made on the future of the arcade and whether it's being levelled or not.

As it is, it's an eyesore that no new businesses will consider until it's brought up to a modern standard. BETTIE, City Centre Holiday troubles go on

AFTER reading about the latest travel company to collapse, leaving many holidaymakers in distress, I was livid at the advice given to contact the CAA and they would make sure everything was sorted out.

Do not hold your breath. After the collapse of the XL Leisure company last September, I am still in correspondence with the CAA and have still not received a refund on our spoiled holiday.

They pass you from pillar to post and are accountable to no-one. ANTHONY MARTIN, Glasgow Knife sale sense

IT looks like the Scottish Government has been listening to the people.

It is to introduce new licensing rules for shops selling non-domestic knives to crack down on blade violence.

At last common sense has prevailed. Things can only get better. GEORGE DRUMMOND, Govan Parking rule chaos

HOW soon before the sewage plant in Govan Road follows suit (Evening Times, Yellow lines will affect NHS staff, June 8)?

Then there will be chaos, this silly law must be rescinded and a rethink about hospital parking must be a priority with the workforce given more say in this matter. JRB, Glasgow DJ in a spin!

WE all wish DJ Alan D all the luck in the world with his record attempt to play non-stop to raise funds for Cancer Research UK (Evening Times, DJ bids for non-stop spin record, June 5).

I have no doubt he will make it to the finishing line and smash the record.

We will all be there supporting him as much as possible throughout the whole of the record week. Good luck, Alan. BRYONI, Wishaw Hooked on Sugar

I MUST admit I surprisingly enjoyed this year's series of The Apprentice on BBC1.

I thought the mixture of contestants really worked and I was hooked right to the end.

I was shocked Yasmina won but am sure Sir Alan Sugar must know what he's doing! I can't wait to next year's series. RKS, Glasgow 5K is unbeatable

WELL done to the organisers and all the entrants of the 5K Race for Life at the weekend.

It was a great spectacle and an amazing effort put in to help Cancer Research UK.

Glasgow once again proved no-one can beat it when it comes to generosity and organising events. Name and address supplied Kids' ciggie shocker

I WAS shocked to read that 4% of pupils quizzed admitted to smoking a cigarette before their first day of school (Evening Times, June 8).

How could any parent let this happen? These figures were alarming and make it clear more has to be done to discourage youngsters taking up smoking. SJ, Glasgow WRITE: Evening Times, 200 Renfield Street, Glasgow G2 3QB. Please include your name and address. E-MAIL: letters@eveningtimes.co.uk Please include postal address. TEXT: key in the word 'etletters', leave a space then send your comments to 88010. Max 160 characters. Please include your name or initials and where you're from. Texts cost 25p at all times. HOT TOPIC: People power saves the Sighthill skyline

GOOD for them - people power wins! Although I'm no fan of multis personally, there would be something missing from the skyline I grew up with if they were all dynamited.

Clearly though, a lot of them were thrown up on the cheap and need to go. OPENMIND, Glasgow Why live the high life?

I CAN'T understand why people want to stay on in the high rise blocks?

High rise vs 2/3 bedroom semi with garden - where is the choice? WORTHINGER, West Sussex Vertical prisons

THE vertical community experiment is a failure on an epic scale.

These blocks have never replaced the communities they destroyed.

I speak as someone living in these vertical prisons. TINY48, Glasgow Well done, residents!

CONGRATULATIONS to those who fought against the planned demolition of their homes. MURDO RITCHIE, Parkhead Council can't win

WHY would you celebrate saving high flats in Sighthill? The place is a dump.

To challenge you on the view: how many clear days do you get a year in Glasgow?

It's OK if you're on the 20th floor but the majority aren't, so what's the point of keeping it? DARIUS23, Glasgow They're not safe for kids

I THINK GHA is going backwards instead of forward.

These flats are dangerous for children, and leave pensioners isolated when the lifts break down, which often happens.

How can parents keep an eye on children out playing from 20 storeys up?

Anyone thinking they're great is living in the dark ages and depriving their kids of a proper house. WILLIAM, Glasgow Just a haven for gangs

AS someone who used to live in the shadows of Sighthill, I'm astonished that, given the chance to escape this concrete jungle, these people would rather stay.

It is nothing but a haven for drug users, gangs etc.

The best thing for Sighthill and Glasgow would be to get rid of all high-rise flats. JOHN, Clydebank