HAVING worked for Blackburn Co-op for ten years and then for United Co-op three and a half years, it was with interest that I read "Co-op's assurance" (LET, July 9).

When United took over Blackburn Co-op they had little or no respect for customers or staff for they practically wiped Blackburn Co-op off the map, closing shops and making staff redundant.

It is only a few months ago that they closed the Brothers Street store.

So why, I ask, do they want to take over other businesses in the area?

When I worked for United at the Ainsworth Street store, all staff were assured that the store would remain open and jobs would be assured when they opened the Comfort World store at Whitebirk.

Not so. We at Ainsworth Street were told the store was closing and if we wanted a job at Comfort World, we would have to apply for one.

All but two of the staff asked for redundancy, which they got, and the two remaining staff went to work at Comfort World, only to be made redundant when that too closed down.

K DICKINSON, Elim Gardens, New Wellington Street, Mill Hill, Blackburn.

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