While I still consider that there could be better uses of the M&Co site, I won't personally be signing the petition.

The main losers of a Morrison's on this site will be Sainsbury's and a couple of small convenience shops, but not The Butchery, Sugar Mountain or Aga's Deli. But presumably there is an opportunity for smaller shops to fill the gap in the market left by the closure of M&Co.

There are already many places selling alcohol at all times of day, and I have to say that I always found it easier buying beer from small off-licenses or pubs when I was 17, rather than trying my luck in a national chain. The addition of Morrison's selling alcohol will make no difference to the determined street drinker.

Had this been a 'cute little wine shop' there would be virtually no objection to this application, it is fundamentally about another national chain coming to the town centre and nothing to do with the licensing issue. Had Morrison's wanted to take over Paddy Power (an ideal site for a small supermarket) would there still be the same level of opposition? I really hope not.

We used to have more national chains in Forest Hill than we do today (Tesco/Londis, McDonalds, KFC, Freeman Hardy Willis, Midland Bank) the high street will not be destroyed by a couple of them coming in. It is now about 10 years since Sainsburys expansion and the high street has re-formed in a more positive and independent state. But chains and independents can work side-by-side, just as they do in Lordship Lane and many other nice high street.

There are some valid concerns about the frequency of deliveries and rubbish storage (which were the issues that prevented Sainsburys opening in Kirkdale), but these have nothing to do with licensing.