Shame on those councillors who would not stand up to the monstrous power of the food industry, the case in point here being the Tesco Express at the top of Eastern Shoreham.

Because they ignored concerns it would put local business in danger, the little shop that has been serving the local community for years has possibly been driven out of business due to the Tesco Express nearby. This also includes the Post Office there, which is set to close over the coming months.

The consequences of allowing Tesco to open so near local business were aired by residents who could not understand how Tesco could possibly be allowed to open another outlet within a mile of its superstore at Holmbush.

I imagined (wrongly it seems) that councils exist not only to provide services but to represent and protect fairly all their constituents, and to protect small businesses from unfair and unreasonable competition, no matter how much financial power they may have.

Chris Agutter, Slonk Hill Road, Shoreham