The demise of iZi marks the end of an era.

I know many will see it as just another bar gone to the wall but it was more than that. Prior to izi, there were only late-night drinking joints.

It was no city centre super-club but it was more than a pub with a dance floor. It offered the young – and the not-so-young – a chance to dance, drink late and have a bit of fun in the town without having to travel into Oxford.

It was a bit noisy and occasionally rowdy, but it was well-managed and also catered for a much more genteel clientele during the day.

Then the rates were hiked up and, of course, the arrival of Wetherspoons, with its cut-price drink, was the final straw.

It’s difficult to compete with national chains that have huge purchasing power.

I wonder what will replace it – another charity shop?

It would be ironic if the greed of the people setting the rates resulted in a new tenant taking the site that pays no business rates at all.

And a little bit more of the old character of Witney is lost forever.

Duncan Wood, Crawley Road, Witney