Yet again the Mid-Counties Co-operative are doing their utmost to prevent another major supermarket from being built in Cinderford.

They have already been successful in stopping Tesco having a store in the town and are now trying to do the same with Asda. I am sure the same would apply if either Sainsbury's or Morrisons decided to submit a planning application for a supermarket in Cinderford.

The Co-op are clearly afraid of competition and so continue to deprive many local people of having a choice. In addition, they are able to charge higher prices for many of their goods for this very reason.

The Co-op complain about the detrimental effect that another major supermarket would have on the town centre. However, they fail to mention the fact that they have been responsible for the closure of several shops in the town over the last ten years including a pharmacy, a travel agency, a dry cleaners as well as the post office, all of which have been incorporated into their Dockham Road store.

Towns of a similar size to Cinderford appear to have little difficulty in attracting more than one major supermarket and yet the Co-op, for some strange reason, seems to have a stranglehold on Cinderford by attempting to prevent any proposed major retail development in the town.

I sincerely hope that Asda don't give in to the Co-op's tactics and do lodge another planning application for a major supermarket in Cinderford soon.

– John Harris, Cinderford.