Do the supermarkets hold too much power over our councils? (From Echo)
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Do the supermarkets hold too much power over our councils?
1:00pm Friday 28th September 2012 in News By Luke Lambert
Giant store – the Tesco Extra in Pitsea overs 125,000 sq ft.
CONCERNS have been raised over the rise of supersized supermarkets across Basildon and the power big brands have over the council.
Nigel Smith , leader of the Labour group at Basildon Council, also worries the supermarkets are being put into areas where they are not needed, while other places are crying out for investment.
He spoke out with other members of the Labour group after the council announced it was pushing ahead with plans to knock down Pitsea pool so a new Morrison’s supermarket could be built as part of a major regeneration scheme.
Mr Smith is concerned supermarkets are now seen as integral to any regeneration plans, but wonders why Pitsea will soon have two with the new Morrisons and its existing Tesco Extra, and yet the rundown Laindon Centre has none.
Mr Smith said: “The Laindon Centre desperately needs a supermarket. It is not fair to ask local residents, some of whom are elderly, to travel all the way to Basildon yet the people of Pitsea are going to have two massive supermarkets and no swimming pool. There is no balance. The power and the influence of the supermarket is very strong.”
He also worries whether both big supermarkets will survive in Pitsea.
He said: “In five years time we might see either Tesco or Morrisons in Pitsea close and then we would have big empty abandoned supermarkets. And what about Lidl? They will really struggle with such enormous competition. Smaller local stores may be the answer in bringing people back into the centre of towns without losing valuable amenities like Pitsea swimming pool.”
The 75,000 square foot Morrisons planned as part of the Pitsea regeneration project will be a stone’s throw from the enormous 125,000 sq ft Tesco Extra – the second largest one in the country. There are also Tesco stores in Basildon and at Mayflower Retail Park, a Sainsbury’s in Eastmayne, Basildon and two Asda’s in Basildon at Eastgate Shopping Centre and the Pipps Hill Retail Park.
John Scarola, Labour councillor for Laindon Park, said: “It is beyond me why this has gone ahead. As if the area needs another supermarket. There will be price wars and we all know people will shop wherever it’s cheapest.”
Trevor Draper, of Billericay Cook Shop, and former head of the town’s chamber of commerce, said: “Local councils have allowed the expansion of supermarkets. That has drawn people away from the town centre and this has been to the detriment of many towns.
“We need to value local businesses and bringing in large supermarkets is not always the solution.”
Comments(16)
Alice in Her Own Land :P
says...
1:50pm Fri 28 Sep 12
E -Type
says...
1:55pm Fri 28 Sep 12
Yes! As do crinkled (recycling you know) brown envelopes!
DEBT*COLLECTOR
says...
1:58pm Fri 28 Sep 12
E -Type wrote:First word is back, secong word rymes with panda
"Do the supermarkets hold too much power over our councils?"
Yes! As do crinkled (recycling you know) brown envelopes!
APR
says...
2:03pm Fri 28 Sep 12
They employ a lot of people and pay a massive amount in commercial council tax.
jolllyboy
says...
4:50pm Fri 28 Sep 12
Only someone like Tesco could divert an Arterial Road like the A127 from its straight route causing a really dangerous roundabout, just so we know that Tesco is there and easy to get to.Also the B & Q site sitting there like a sore thumb and Tesco not having any intention now of building the additional items they said they would for southend.
E -Type
says...
5:25pm Fri 28 Sep 12
jolllyboy wrote:England twinned with Tescoland
yes again. the legal sweeteners etc.
Only someone like Tesco could divert an Arterial Road like the A127 from its straight route causing a really dangerous roundabout, just so we know that Tesco is there and easy to get to.Also the B & Q site sitting there like a sore thumb and Tesco not having any intention now of building the additional items they said they would for southend.
(or should it be vise versa)
Gina the weaner
says...
5:47pm Fri 28 Sep 12
E -Type wrote:No, it should be 'vice versa'.
jolllyboy wrote:England twinned with Tescoland
yes again. the legal sweeteners etc.
Only someone like Tesco could divert an Arterial Road like the A127 from its straight route causing a really dangerous roundabout, just so we know that Tesco is there and easy to get to.Also the B & Q site sitting there like a sore thumb and Tesco not having any intention now of building the additional items they said they would for southend.
(or should it be vise versa)
Eric Whim
says...
6:13pm Fri 28 Sep 12
A few slabs of ale and a tray or three of pies deliverd to the Council Trough on a weekly basis is all it takes, allegedly
aduksquack
says...
6:18pm Fri 28 Sep 12
E -Type
says...
7:41pm Fri 28 Sep 12
Gina the weaner wrote:How you are still tainting these threads is beyond me, while less 'grievous' posters have been removed...very interesting.
E -Type wrote:No, it should be 'vice versa'.
jolllyboy wrote:England twinned with Tescoland
yes again. the legal sweeteners etc.
Only someone like Tesco could divert an Arterial Road like the A127 from its straight route causing a really dangerous roundabout, just so we know that Tesco is there and easy to get to.Also the B & Q site sitting there like a sore thumb and Tesco not having any intention now of building the additional items they said they would for southend.
(or should it be vise versa)
Anyway, trying to be too clever without checking has made you look stupid again You say "vice" i say "vise" both spellings are valid!
Gina the weaner
says...
7:56pm Fri 28 Sep 12
E -Type wrote:"Vise" is not considered an alternative or valid spelling (do a little simple research and you will discover the error of your ways). A simple "You are correct, thank you for putting me right." would have been nice.
Gina the weaner wrote:How you are still tainting these threads is beyond me, while less 'grievous' posters have been removed...very interesting.
E -Type wrote:No, it should be 'vice versa'.
jolllyboy wrote:England twinned with Tescoland
yes again. the legal sweeteners etc.
Only someone like Tesco could divert an Arterial Road like the A127 from its straight route causing a really dangerous roundabout, just so we know that Tesco is there and easy to get to.Also the B & Q site sitting there like a sore thumb and Tesco not having any intention now of building the additional items they said they would for southend.
(or should it be vise versa)
Anyway, trying to be too clever without checking has made you look stupid again You say "vice" i say "vise" both spellings are valid!
Speaking of removal of posters, I note that you have (had to?) change your name yet again. Were you considered a " 'grievous' poster" (whatever that is supposed to mean)? You are certainly an ignoramus.
E -Type
says...
8:15pm Fri 28 Sep 12
Gina the weaner wrote:I believe all your multiple accounts have been closed down? LOL...does that include stropmag too?
E -Type wrote:"Vise" is not considered an alternative or valid spelling (do a little simple research and you will discover the error of your ways). A simple "You are correct, thank you for putting me right." would have been nice.
Gina the weaner wrote:How you are still tainting these threads is beyond me, while less 'grievous' posters have been removed...very interesting.
E -Type wrote:No, it should be 'vice versa'.
jolllyboy wrote:England twinned with Tescoland
yes again. the legal sweeteners etc.
Only someone like Tesco could divert an Arterial Road like the A127 from its straight route causing a really dangerous roundabout, just so we know that Tesco is there and easy to get to.Also the B & Q site sitting there like a sore thumb and Tesco not having any intention now of building the additional items they said they would for southend.
(or should it be vise versa)
Anyway, trying to be too clever without checking has made you look stupid again You say "vice" i say "vise" both spellings are valid!
Speaking of removal of posters, I note that you have (had to?) change your name yet again. Were you considered a " 'grievous' poster" (whatever that is supposed to mean)? You are certainly an ignoramus.
"vise versa" is indeed considered a alternative spelling, it is often used in place of the other, which proves the matter!
It is also valid. If it wasn't you wouldn't of understood it to correct it.
" Rather an ignoramus than a Horses an*s"
Anyway i was talking about Tesco not Netto... perhaps thats where you are going wrong.
Gina the weaner
says...
3:47am Sat 29 Sep 12
Only by those who can't spell.
E -Type
says...
3:32pm Sat 29 Sep 12
Gina the weaner wrote:Or.....by those who prefer to use it as an alternative...not surprised you pick the 'vice' spelling...i see there is no illogical support from 'posters' to back you up...lol...you must feel a bot lonely without all your multiple accounts to support you...shame.
" "vise versa" is indeed considered a alternative spelling, it is often used in place of the other, which proves the matter! "
Only by those who can't spell.
But anyway...back on track. Have you made any comment on the issue of the thread?
APR
says...
5:40pm Sat 29 Sep 12
Lidl don't have a big as choice as the other Supermarkets, but there's nothing wrong with what they do sell.
Checkouts are also much quicker than any of the major supermarkets.
We can spend longer queuing up at the checkout in Sainsbury's, than it takes to do our shopping in Lidl.
emcee says...
1:48pm Fri 28 Sep 12