Sir – I was horrified to hear that the leaseholders of Liscious and The Big Bang in Walton Street, Jericho, have been given a scant few weeks’ notice so that yet another unnecessary branch of Tesco can muscle in on a once character-filled part of our city. Is there no end to the homogenisation of Oxford? Or the greed of some of the larger supermarket chains? Not to mention that of the colleges who own the properties?

Jericho is a thriving community already well served by the Co-op on Walton Street, with its comprehensive range of produce, estimable ethical trading and exceptionally friendly staff.

We also have the Londis shop, Gluttons deli and Ali’s Corner Store. We do not need or want Tesco. Those of us who live in Jericho are proud of being a part of the city where individuality is valued.

Those who visit us appreciate as much as we do our unique combination of bookshops, cafes, family homes, canal, bicycle shops, school, pubs, student lodgings, boutiques,charity shops, bars, cinema and Port Meadow.

My 10-year old daughter’s rather more concise take on the prospect of a Tesco on Walton Street is “That would be ruining it!”. Out of the mouths . . .

Julia Woods, Oxford