MAY I say how disappointed I was on my visit to the new store in Blackpole.  
I live in Warndon and have watched the store being built and waited with anticipation for it to open.
I use a Mobility Scooter, as do many residents in the area, and the fact it was going to be bigger was great.
I could never use the old one as the entrance door was to small for me to access.
Well Lidl must be the most disabled unfriendly store I have been in. The sliding entrance door was ok, then nightmare.
The first aisle was completely blocked with pallets so had to reverse and try the second aisle, which also had pallets! Just about squeezed past then ran the gauntlet of some of the most rude and ignorant customers ever, then more pallets.
I just gave up and felt myself going into meltdown.
So I decided to just leave the store, but I couldn’t get through the tills to the exit door so by this time full blown panic attack.
Couldn’t find one member of staff for help even though they apparently  recruited 40-plus.
Even considered ram-raiding the entrance door. I finally found a girl, grabbed her, and she let me out.
Never again will I use this store. And after speaking to several friends they are of the same opinion.
Sainsbury will keep my custom. The store is accessible and the staff are all helpful.
Yvonne Carter
Warndon

We’re not safer in EU
I FEEL sorry for the people of Belgium, who have once again had their tranquillity destroyed, and my heart goes out to them.
But recent events in Brussels also blew apart Cameron’s often stated conviction that we are “safer in Europe”.
On Tuesday afternoon an expert in terrorism appeared on the TV news to inform the presenters that Belgian intelligence gatherers do not even share their information with their own police force, of which there are several in Brussels alone. 
He also explained that we have closer intelligence communication with the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, which are well outside the EU.
In today’s Daily Mail (March 24) Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of MI6, stated that quitting the EU would make Britain SAFER, and make it easier to deport terrorists and control our borders. 
He added that British intelligence services “give much more” to the EU than they get in return, and Washington was a more important counter-terror ally by at least a factor of 10.
Additionally, it was proven that the Paris bombers travelled unchallenged through Germany and back into Belgium with guns in their cars. 
Whilst they could not bring guns to the UK, they could walk straight through our passport control with EU passports, and obtain guns once here.
Safer in Europe? I don’t think so!
Brenda Wheeler
St. Peter’s, Worcester


Poor way to run a council
BACK in February, after a protracted process, the planning committee decided that it wasn’t minded to grant GTECH’s proposal to build a new headquarters in Warndon Villages.
 I remember commenting on a Facebook page that the decision had “restored my faith in the democratic process”.
 Fast forward to today, and the very same planning committee decided that they were minded to approve GTECH’s proposal.
Notwithstanding the merits or otherwise of the application it is difficult to understand what has changed between February 18 and today.
The land in question was not earmarked for development in the SWDP, a plan which took far too long to be approved. The proposal hadn’t changed materially between then and now.
It’s not the first time the planning committee has been accused of not being transparent enough – perhaps the chair could cast some light on why the planning committee changed its mind at the last minute? 
To this voter, it’s not enough to proclaim simply that “planning cannot be bought”.
Conservative councillors should also be reminded that ignoring the 950 or so objections lodged regarding the proposal has ramifications.
 The only way we, the electorate, have of exacting our revenge is not to return those we feel have betrayed our trust.  
Presumably the Tories have calculated that caving in to business outweighs the margin of dissent from voters affected by this decision. 
A very poor way to run local government.
Robyn Norfolk
Worcester


Australia has migrant tactic
WHILST the EU bigwigs sit and ponder over the long-term migrant strategy, perhaps they should turn and look towards Australia, and how they handle it.
Its sea patrols turn boats laden with migrants back to where they came from, or send them to remote pacific islands. 
It’s a harsh line ... but it’s working. 
Not just for the Aussie citizens who don’t want them, but for the migrants themselves who risk their lives  by drowning on the hazardous journey, as 1200 have over six years.
No migrants have stepped on to Australian soil for 600 consecutive days. Few now try, and fewer die.
GB Dipper
Leominster

Police doing 
a great job
DON’T knock our police, Mr Phillpott (March 12). 
I say police pay should be trebled – our brave officers are attacked from both sides during disputes.
GEORGE COWLEY
Worcester