Express & Star comment: Listen to the will of the people

What a fabulous response.

It just shows the warmth people hold to this historic shop which has stood in Wolverhampton city centre for 141 years.

While others have fallen around it, the store, once famous for its toys and record department, has remained.

• We're backing Beatties: Thousands of Express & Star readers support campaign

Now, under threat as part of a closure programme of House of Fraser stores under new owner Mike Ashley, it must stand strong again.

How good is it to see the thousands of people, not just from the city but from across the Black Country, rally round and back the store to stay open?

As Mr Ashley's team consult with landlords of each of the chain's 58 stores – London's Oxford Street store will remain open – we say he is duty-bound to listen to the shoppers.

They have passionately and thoughtfully contributed to the Express & Star's campaign with letters and emails.

These written documents will feature prominently in a detailed dossier which will be sent to Mr Ashley by this newspaper, providing a strong case for him to keep the store open.

It would be in his interest to take our readers' comments into account.

They provide more an indication to the success of a store than any numbers on a finance sheet for a store which has arguably been under-invested in for more than a decade.

Beatties was a proud establishment in the centre of Wolverhampton.

Under Mr Ashley's guidance, it can become great again. Most importantly, it can hold retail strength within the city centre.

This is not the first time readers have made their voices heard over the famous department store.

When House of Fraser took over from the Beatties family, public opinion won when it was decided to keep the family name for the store.

For the sake of Wolverhampton, we all hope consensus gentium comes good again.