SIR — Giles Coren, the food critic of The Times, has written a critical review of Winchester’s most famous pub the Wykeham Arms. This has won 12 awards and was pub of the year in 1998.

I cannot speak for what it is like to eat there, the cause of Giles Coren’s disappointment, but there is room for criticism. The Wykeham Arms had a good garden at the back, with a raised area, and a lawn with several tables. This was a delightful place to go for six months of the year. However Fullers, the new owners, have now tarmaced this area, all to make room for two car park spaces. How pathetic that an interesting garden in a pub has got to make way for the motor car. A boring dead car parking space.

Has not enough of England been given over to the motor car already? I am a car owner and enjoy driving but it must be clear Winchester has too many car journeys through it.

What sort of a company is Fullers that this vandalism should have been committed?

Having said this, The Wykeham Arms is still the best place to go in Winchester for a drink.

Rupert Pitt, Park Road, Winchester.