THE suggestion in Saturday's issue (Evening News, November 17) that the 14,000 sq ft St John's Co-op monopolies the area's food retail trade could not be further from the truth.

The store complements and enhances the town's retail provision.

As a community retailer, and unlike our competitors, the Co-op throughout the UK seeks to a develop stores of a size that do no dominate retailing in any location as this would be detrimental to the overall well-being of the community.

No matter what the level of competition, we constantly aim to improve our service to shoppers, as demonstrated in Worcester by the recent £400,000 refurbishment of our store to provide improved facilities and by the introduction of home shopping which has certainly proved extremely popular.

Many regular St John's Co-op shoppers tell our staff that they are impressed with the store's smart new look, spacious design and enhanced range.

The Co-op also believes it is important to take an active role in community life and staff recently played a major part in raising more than £70,000 to help fund the work of local Marie Curie Cancer Care Nurses in the region.

DAVID MOCKFORD,

Chief Officer-Wales and Borders,

The Co-operative Group.