I NOTICE that the independent petrol stations are lobbying the authorities about unfair competition from the supermarkets.

I wish them luck as they will probably go the same way as the butcher, baker, fishmonger and milkman.

Card shops are on the decline and I imagine florists are getting worried.

In Christchurch, there will be a new cut-price supermarket opening in Somerford and there are rumours about another giant supermarket on the Style South site in the same area.

However, Christchurch cannot stand these developments. There is not an infinite number of people to buy an infinite amount of food and this will probably result in closure of stores in the town centre. Without these stores, Christchurch town centre will die.

J. R. NOBLE, Wildfell Close, Christchurch