• THERE was an article on the closure of checkout tills at Sainsbury’s in Camden Town and particular concern was expressed of the effects on the disabled. But the protest worked and all you now have to do is ask for a till be opened.

Contrast this with the complete non-response to letters about Camden Council’s reaction to protests about decisions which make life more difficult for the disabled.

Requests for blue badge holders to be allowed into low-traffic neighbourhoods ignored (Haringey does); failure to automatically provide large-print documents to those with low vision; failure to make reasonable adjustments for applicants for services who cannot master the intricacy of online processes, to name but a few.

The difference, of course, is that Sainsbury’s managers know if they don’t respond to customers, they will go elsewhere. For council services I cannot go elsewhere.

But some council decisions are more worrying than others as the letter from a shopkeeper in last week’s CNJ showed, (Shops are a vital part of the community, October 19).

Business parking permit holders are being asked to resubmit details even if their permit is not up for renewal, with the threat of cancellation. This happened to our pharmacy which needed a permit as it delivered prescriptions to the housebound. Cancellation of the permit could result in the pharmacist saying enough is enough.

Business has already been severely impacted by road closures and restricted parking for disabled customers. No risk assessment was done of the threat. Fortunately intervention resulted in the permit being “renewed” and the threat to the pharmacy’s existence averted.

As with senior managers “working from home” there is a reluctance to meet businesses who work hard for the community. Officers’ jobs are not at risk. The disabled should not be the victims of petty bureaucrats.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED, NW5