You can only use machines to pay in the ‘big’ Sainsbury’s in Camden Town

• CONGRATULATIONS to Richard Cotton and the other six councillors who have written to Sainsbury’s Camden Town about the loss of cashiers, (Plea to Sainsbury’s: ‘Give us humans back on checkout’, September 7).

Self-service machines are a nightmare not only for older and disabled people but also for families with a full trolley. Cost-cutting on staff is self-defeating, as many bigger shoppers have moved to other supermarkets. But help is available! On request, customer service will open up a service till.

Managers state their willingness to implement this policy, but the unfortunate staff on the ground are often so overworked that they can’t take time to call customer service. If you have time yourself, you can go to the front desk just inside the entrance and ask for help.

For everyone else, not strong, or dealing with a heavy weekly shopping load, the answer may be to stand on your rights. Most customers haven’t even been told that they can ask for a service till. If enough of us request a service till to be opened then Sainsbury’s will need to keep at least one of them open at all times.

Hopefully the managers will be reporting back to their accounts department that full automation isn’t working well.

AMANDA SEBESTYEN, NW1