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Sir Geoffrey Holland urges universities to be more like superstores and let students sample services regardless of background ("Former v-c advocates superstore approach", THES , February 21). But supermarkets are "background-blind". They are neither interested in my unfashionable postcode nor impressed that my parents never shopped in such places.

They are equally unmoved by my local open-all-hours convenience store's poor record in referring its customers to a superstore. No credit is given for items purchased elsewhere and no member of staff is on hand to offer advice on how to improve my poor trolley-handling skills. When finally reaching the checkout, only my ability to pay appears to matter. I shudder to think what would happen if I failed to meet this basic requirement. Appeal to my local food aid agency?

Roy Pearce
Stechford, Birmingham