We prove that every quotient algebra of a unital Banach function algebra A has a unique complete norm if A is a Ditkin algebra. The theorem applies, for example, to the algebra A (Γ) of Fourier transforms of the group algebra $L^1\left(G\right)$ of a locally compact abelian group (with identity adjoined if Γ is not compact). In such algebras non-semisimple quotients $A\left(\Gamma \right)/\overline{J\left(E\right)}$ arise from closed subsets E of Γ which are sets of non-synthesis. Examples are given to show that the condition of Ditkin cannot be relaxed. We construct...

Let G be a locally compact abelian group and let X be a translation invariant linear subspace of L¹(G). If G is noncompact, then there is at most one Banach space topology on X that makes translations on X continuous. In fact, the Banach space topology on X is determined just by a single nontrivial translation in the case where the dual group Ĝ is connected. For G compact we show that the problem of determining a Banach space topology on X by considering translation operators on X is closely related...