I AM writing to say that I support the impending Tesco. All this talk of how Tesco will kill off Cinderford is ridiculous. Has anyone seen Cinderford recently? Half the shops in the town centre have gone and Tesco isn't even here yet.

I've only lived here for three years and I have noticed how traders in Cinderford are declining. People say that Tesco will kill off local businesses – no, the local council are doing that by increasing rates at a time when business is slow and people cannot afford to pay more in rent and taxes. By the time Tesco gets here I don't think there will be much left in the town anyway, oh apart from maybe the mini monopoly the Co-op has going on. Pharmacy, funeral care (expensive) supermarket and travel agents.

By the time Tesco gets here which fingers crossed it will, it will be much needed, offering goods at a price most people can afford. I myself won't shop in the Co-op, it's too expensive and I find the staff unhelpful and rude, but I do use the local butchers and vegetable traders in the town. If Tesco does arrive this won't change, I will still support those local businesses. You won't get better value for money or a better service, not even at Tesco! I'm not local to this area and am a relative newcomer but I love the Forest of Dean and Cinderford and the community spirit that fills it. I don't believe that this multi national company will kill off your town, your town is already dying slowly. We are in the middle of a deep recession and small businesses are of course going to be affected, but the arrival of a Tesco will help those who are worse off afford to buy products at a reasonable price.

This town is big enough for a Tesco and our small traders. Its just the Co-op don't want to lose the monopoly they have over the town so try to convince you otherwise. But surely over the years the Co-op has contributed to the decline in local traders in Cinderford? Food for thought maybe. – E. Tattersall, Cinderford.