Rise of the robots

Sir, – Bravo, WH Smith. Great idea to tear down that friendly staffed counter in Dublin Airport, and install irksome, noisome, self-pay robots. Just what the hassled air traveller wants.

Longer queues, slower service, more stress, alienated staff, machines barking beeps and oddly accented orders.

If I want to buy a book from a robot, I’ll go online. Because it’s not just the book we actual people buy. We willingly pay a little extra because we want that bookshop to remain there – an oasis, a sanctuary, an amenity. – Yours, etc,

EDDIE BRANNIGAN,

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Brussels.