LETTER: Awnings need love too

I was horrified to read that Mr Graffeuille thinks all our shop awnings/canopies should be dispensed with. I have lived over two years in London, and while there, and many times since, have visited many cities, in Europe, North America/Canada, and Australia, and nowhere else have I found the convenience and welcome shelter that these provide.
Also, we ourselves have hosted numerous guests from overseas, and all without fail have commented on what a good idea they are, and have expressed a wish that they had something like this at home.
The awnings do provide very welcome shelter from Auckland's rain. Never mind if you have to dash across the road and get a bit wet in the process - you get a lot less wet when you have a canopy to wait under until the lights change.Other cities people crowd into shop doorways and block the exits which is annoying. Awnings also allow one to window-shop in bad weather, and gain some idea of whether the shop actually is likely to have what you want.We sorely missed this convenience in Brisbane, where downpours are sudden and drenching - to be safe you have to go to a mall! Although there are a very few arcades right in town.
As for keeping out light- perhaps Mr Graffeuille is not aware of NZ's intensity of dangerous U/V sunlight . In summer I have been glad to have shade from the awnings as even in streets of tall buildings as in the inner city the sun can still be a problem.
However, there is certainly one point where I am entirely in agreement with Mr Graffeuille. The canopies currently gracing most of our city and also suburban shopping strips are ugly, tacky, dilapidated and in severe need of replacement or at least renovation. Hanging signs look tacky and many are old and outdated, their businesses long since having departed. All signs should be confined to shop fronts or windows. It is true the Council appear to have been remiss regarding ensuring building owners keep their properties up to a reasonable standard. Perhaps a long-term programme could be introduced giving these people time to get their buildings up to standard.
If this was done, thought could also be given to obtaining some sort of uniformity in design, particularly with regard to height, width across the pavement, and construction material. This would improve appearances no end. Perhaps there could be a choice of maybe 2 slightly varying (but compatible) shapes/styles to accommodate buildings of ultra-modern style as well as the older heritage architecture. And who knows- there might even be some material which would let in sufficient light to satisfy Mr Graffeuille - but provide sufficient U/V protection and shade for comfort? In any case - PLEASE DON'T JUST GET RID OF OUR AWNINGS - WE NEED THEM!!! Mrs P Williams Remuera