• THE Late Late Store has been serving local residents and the community of Belsize Village for over 50 years.

We have seen the village grow and prosper into the joyous community it is today. The local residents who walk through our doors are welcomed seven days a week and not only are they our customers but they are considered our friends and family.

We have built a reputation within the community to not just provide a service but try our utmost to go above and beyond for our customers, which is what we feel the community of Belsize Village stands for; a joint family who love, trust and care for each other.

Unfortunately with the Co-op store moving into the village, it is more than likely that small businesses such as ours will be negatively affected and, in most cases, will be forced to shut down, (‘Save our village’ pleas over Co-Op’s supermarket plan for Belsize Park, August 23).

As many of our residents are aware, with large corporate supermarkets it is almost impossible to build the same type of connection residents share with us and our neighbouring stores.

Knowing our customers and community on a first-name basis and appreciating what they stand for has been most important in keeping our business running and striving to serve them as best that we can.

The Late Late Store and our neighbouring businesses have always aimed to look after the children within the area and have seen many of them grow from young into the commendable adults they are today.

We have always strived to keep Belsize Village clean and free from pollution. We therefore urge you to stand together against this large corporate giant which seeks to destroy what our community stands for.

AAMIR SHAFIQ