THE seemingly foregone conclusion of the go-ahead for Sainsbury's in St John's will be a bitter blow for huge numbers of residents, who have seen protests, petitions and all manner of reasonable, logical argument brushed aside.
The number of residents and traders, with some notable exceptions, displaying SOS posters, speaks volumes for the strength of feeling that this issue (and the ongoing Tesco bid) has aroused.
Apparently, neither the city council nor the county council feels that residents' views should have any bearing on the outcome. The arrogant and high-handed way in which the results of the Christopher Whitehead consultation were spun, manipulated and then disregarded, bears eloquent testimony to the esteem in which elected councils hold their voters.
St John's will almost certainly be blighted by at least one supermarket, that the majority of residents do not want, in the near future.
There appears to be little that can be done to stop the council juggernaut. However, I would urge all of Worcester's voters to consider the way that their councils regard them - use your vote at the next election to show them what you think.
PAUL SAUNDERS,
Worcester.
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