I RARELY respond to comments from people who are party politically motivated as I find they are very selective in points they choose to answer and often answer points which have not even been made.

They also seem incapable of conducting an argument without resorting to spiteful and personal remarks.

I have never criticised the council for trying to keep Tesco open. The fact people will lose their jobs is sufficient reason for opposing closure.

Also, like many others, I find it very useful to have a town centre food store.

If the business rate is fixed nationally, does that mean that every business, all over the country, is charged at the same rate per square foot of floor space, or however it is calculated? I ask because I have heard of businesses relocating because the business rate is lower in another area.

If it is a differential rate, is Redditch the lowest? If not, then my argument stands that Redditch councillors should press for it to be reduced with the same vigour with which they have lobbied Tesco to reduce its profits in order to provide a service in Redditch.

Evidence of the need for this is surely plain in the amount of empty shops in the town.

As to council rents, I checked with a local councillor at the time and it was confirmed that Redditch councillors had decided the council could not afford the swipe card required by the new Post Office system introduced by the Government.

I have since checked with the Post Office and the facility is on the computer to receive rents with a swipe card. Therefore if it is not correct to say the council withdrew the facility - it is certainly not correct to say it was withdrawn by the Post Office.

Mrs M Morley

Tennyson Road

Headless Cross