SIR - Groups such as Friends Of The Earth often argue that the dominance of supermarkets has negative impacts on communities and the environment.

Nevertheless, I cannot help thinking that the loss of Sainsbury's in the Cathedral Plaza will have an overall negative impact on Worcester.

This particular branch has a number of advantages - it is in a city centre location and thus attracts people who are not making a special journey. It serves workers in Worcester, residents around Diglis and the riverside who are able to walk into the centre, and commuters using public transport (bus and train services).

Moreover, the supermarket is not so big that it dominates trade in the area and therefore has a limited impact on neighbouring businesses.

In this instance, I think that Worcester will lose one of the few supermarkets that it really needs.

Rod Howell, Worcester Friends Of The Earth.