Sir – The hour has come and no longer will the ancient ironmonger grace the alley off The High. No longer will we be able to say ‘Don’t worry, we will be able to get that at Gill’s’. It is claimed the shop has to close because of lack of custom.

This always struck me as rather strange as on my frequent visits, there always appeared to be three or four customers.

I hope I am not correct, but I suspect the real reason for closing down is the receipt from the disposal of the site. Already before closure the store rooms, containing an Aladdin’s cave of screws and nuts, had been turned into an educational centre. It would be sad if, after five centuries of trading in Oxford, the whole truth has not been told.

Paul Hornby, Jericho