Sir, – Concerns have been frequently expressed about the inexorable growth of the Tesco supermarket chain.

But, oh how I wish that it would come and take over the Stokesley supermarket which was once part of the Safeway supermarket chain and is now owned and run by the Co-operative Society.

When the Stokesley supermarket was in the hands of Safeway, it was never anything special but it was light years ahead of the standard set by the new owners. Many times recently, fellow shoppers in this emporium have, unprompted, expressed to me their frustrations and irritation at the regular failures to keep shelves fully stocked as well as high prices and often poor quality of vegetables and fruit.

Many customers have grown tired of making representations to local management who seem to have no autonomy of action to correct matters and whose frequent reply to complaints is along the lines of “we have to have what they send us”.

Many potential local customers now regularly travel further afield – to Sainsbury, Morrison and Tesco branches in other localities. I am reluctant to have to do this and my main grocery spend is still with the Stokesley supermarket – where despite everything else I find floor staff always very pleasant and helpful and seemingly as frustrated and disappointed as myself in the shortcomings of their store.

There appears to be something of a Co-operative monopoly in our locality as there is a second Co-operative store in Stokesley High Street and yet another just a mile or two away in Great Ayton.

With no signs of any improvement in the Stokesley store over the past year or so, I have no confidence that senior management in the Co-operative Society is capable of a root and branch overhaul of its retailing operation. The only solution appears to be a takeover by one of the major supermarket chains. If only.

(Mrs) C M BISBY Kildale.