Having visited the Royal Pier Waterfront exhibition on July 11, I came away with mixed feelings.

I thought that the development should and would present a showcase of Southampton's strengths to visitors, especially visitors approaching the city from the sea.

If so, I think there is something seriously lacking.

Where is the iconic feature that will make visitors think instantly 'it's Southampton'?

See the Spinnaker Tower or its picture and one thinks 'Portsmouth'.

See the Liver building or its picture and one thinks 'Liverpool'.

See some block of flats and an hotel and a casino and one thinks 'where am I?'

Nothing in the exhibition said 'Southampton' to me. But there was a hint of hope in the developers' 'our visitors', which I quote:

"The spirit of discovery; an urban waterside experience encapsulating Southampton's spirit of discovery...and celebrating the city's relationship with land, sea and air."

Presumably, at the waterfront the emphasis will be on the sea, although the rivers Test and Itchen have some fame too.

There is no shortage of subject matter such as transport, oceanography and fishing.

A visitor attraction by the water telling the visitors more about the watery world around them would certainly match the developers' vision and it should be possible to find an architect to create an iconic building to house it.

For me there are certainly some pleasing aspects of the scheme, such as the bigger (and better?) Mayflower Park. But it does not need the shops: there is a spare shopping mall at the Bargate.

It does not need a casino.

However, it does need something to say 'this is Southampton'

If not, I think it will be Ocean Village markII, bigger, better, but still nothing to write home about.

R. R. Swann,

Radway Crescent

Southampton