I AM proud to be a Co-operative councillor and a member of the Mid Counties Co-operative, admiring the philosophy, history and until recently their record of community support and engagement.

However, the constant blocking of choice and competition in Cinderford has actually taken me to the streets to protest.

The protest is NOT against the staff or even about the local store it is about the lack of choice and fair trade in Cinderford.

The town and district councils have supported choice by passing a succession of planning applications for an additional supermarket in Cinderford, only to be challenged and condemned by the Mid Counties executives and decision makers.

I would urge them to start listening to what the local community wants – not the closure of their successful store but just choice and variety in a town that is on the up with a vision that seems to be lacking by the Mid Counties board.

– Di Martin, Cinderford.