Tesco riding roughshod

[deemaitch]

Tesco are proposing to buils an hypermarket in the town centre of Bridgwater with the backing of a Tory council.
They want 24/7 opening and delivery's without restrictions.
These developments have been stopped in other towns.
As anyone got any ideas how we could stop this

[237SJ]

A friend of mine is a food scientist in a major supermarket`s head office. Before she got the job she had an interview at Tesco. Their head office was very impressive with plasma screens everywhere. The company ethos was basically to kill ********** (her current company). It`s not unintentional that they are dominating the high street and putting everyone else out of business. I know people will go to the cheapest place to shop and enjoy the convenience of having everything under one roof. I just think it`s a shame, that`s all. On christmas day a few years ago the Archbishop of Canterbury said "If the Martians were to land on Earth tomorrow, they would think humans worship at Tesco`s." Says it all really

[pastafreak]

Both arguments are valid....but the death of town centres is not just about food shopping.
It's all the other things we buy...and not just the necessities or the things we've gotten used having. It's finding variety-which just does not exist in Tesco/ASDA/Sains/Morri..etc,etc..along with the same-old department stores. Along with that choice and variety goes contact with people who enjoy their work and are part of the community............so - the community dies. And once it's gone-that's it.

[tiggerblue10]

I'm glad I have a Tesco near me. All the butchers in my area sell only Halal meat which I am against and they don't sell pork products obviously.

[seadogg]

Sorry about that Tigger. Ours is so good that less meat gives more taste to meals so we actually save

[jackthehat]

It's not only goods, it's services...............
Once the passing trade to a town centre stops passing by, the domino effect on other businesses is dramatic.

You'll be left with 1 place to go *no matter* what it is you want. And if they don't carry it, you won't be able to get it or you'll have to travel further than you originally had to. Before long the one-stop convenience shop will become the only place you have available to you................some choice.

[oscarina]

We have just had a new Tesco hypermarket opened in our area, it is brilliant has created over 700 jobs and is within walking distance of most housing areas, undergound car park which is great as you don't get drenched and blown about with weather as you load up your goods can get everything you want under one roof, this is a sign of the times, the local stores still do allright with passing trade and Sunday hours.

[ummmm]

There is not one single fish mongers left in Northampton.

I tend to shop at the butchers and greengrocers, but they are just down the road from me. Supermarket for the rest...

[JonnyBoy12]

NOT shop at Tescos ever again would be a good way to get back at them. I have hear the fastest way for customers to clear shelves in a supermarket is for them not to buy things at all. I doubt you will be able to stop it as they will claim to bring jobs to your town. What they fail to mention is that they will put all the other small retailers out of business as well. They do not usually mention that in a planning enquiry.

Anyone else got any good ideas? If there are any more of these stores we will have to rename Earth "Planet Tesco".

[ludwig]

I never shop at Tesco. I object to their plans buy up every piece of land in the country and put every other shop out of business. I also object to the way they treat UK farmers.

[eyethenkyew]

People ought to remove their rose tinted glasses and move into the 21st century. I'm not a business person but aren't similar businesses in competition with one another? Isn't it a cut throat affair where the business which offers more for less wins most of the time? If consumers find the same products considerably less at, say, Tesco as opposed to a nearby rival, wouldn't at least 90% of those consumers opt for Tesco?
Given far more flexible business hours than rivals, wouldn't consumers also see that as an advantage and a convenience for them and use the business which offered those things?

The poster asks whether any of us has "ideas how we could stop this"? Firstly, who are "we" (poster gives nil details)? Why "stop" it? What are the alternatives for Bridgwater? Could a small rural town as it is afford to do without the many jobs which this development would bring? Is this yet another case of "Nimby"ism?

I always thought that business was a dog eat dog profession with survival of the most consumer friendly participant?

[DaisyNonna]

Do not have a butcher or fishmonger within walking distance. Or a Tesco. Yes I do live in a town. (There is a baker almost within my walking distance but it does not sell loaves of bread, only rolls!)

[Answerprancer]

"anyone got any ideas how we could stop this"
No, and I tell you what - it's getting scary as this peek into the future proves:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfSi0D7KESk

[karenmac60]

Boo, you have a local bread shop, butcher's etc? All we've got are charity shops and bookies - oh and 10 hairdressers! That said, we don't have a Tesco either.....

[ummmm]

OMG AP...that's only a year away...

[karenmac60]

Whatever happened to Time Trumpet AP? That was a great show!

[ummmm]

Really Karen? That's not good....The street leading to our town centre is actually better than the town centre.

This book is a very interesting read...it also comments on large supermarkets...tesco especially..

http://ecx.images-ama...BCL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

[Answerprancer]

...I know - and Brasseye and The Day Today. Armando Ianucci's a genius.

[karenmac60]

Love him AP :)
Ummmm, there's not been a decent shop in my town for years - most of the properties are empty cos the council rates are so high.

[ummmm]

Are you in a small town?