THE shock has subsided. York now has a choice: we can meekly accept Terry's closure with a shrug and a sigh, or we can fight back.

In a world seemingly governed by giant multinational conglomerates, it is easy to presume that nothing we do will make a difference.

That is not only defeatist, it is plain wrong.

Admittedly an individual complaint is unlikely to register. But a united chorus is different.

We have seen before how mass protest can force companies into a rethink. Public concern over the environment, GM food and health issues have forced everyone from leading supermarkets to McDonald's to change direction.

From their Illinois offices, the bosses of Kraft Foods Inc may know little about Terry's, York and the interdependence of the two. Perhaps they view their Yorkshire outpost as little more than one counter in a global business game.

It is our mission to challenge that mindset. There are excellent arguments for keeping Terry's of York in York. But before we can present them, we must get Kraft Food's attention.

That is why the Evening Press is spearheading the battle to Save Terry's. Our letter to Kraft Foods' chief executive Roger Deromedi, published yesterday, is on its way to him. Hugh Bayley, Steve Galloway and other leading city figures are backing our campaign.

Every reader's contribution is equally crucial. The more of you who sign and send back our petition, the harder it is for Kraft to ignore us.

Remember, there is a precedent. Printers RR Donnelley were all set to decamp abroad before bosses were persuaded that its long-term future was best served in Yorkshire.

Please sign up to Save Terry's. Together we can make the case for York.

Updated: 11:13 Wednesday, April 21, 2004