MP: We're at risk of encirclement by Tesco stores (From Gazette)
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Colchester MP: We're at risk of encirclement by Tesco
6:00pm Tuesday 18th October 2011 in News By James Calnan
The growth of Tesco in the Colchester area. The company already has five outlets and now wants to open another in Butt Road
COLCHESTER risks being “encircled” by Tesco after the supermarket giant revealed plans for a store on former Garrison land, the town’s MP claimed.
Tesco has announced it wants to build a small supermarket and car park on part of a three-acre site in Butt Road and Goojerat Road.
Colchester already has five Tesco supermarkets and Express stores, while permission was won last year for a sixth in Mersea Road.
Lib Dem MP Bob Russell said the “encirclement’’ was not in the best interest of consumers and voiced concerns independent businesses in the town and elsewhere were struggling as a result.
He claimed Morrisons, which has no presence in the town, was weeks from signing a deal with landowners Taylor Wimpey to purchase the Butt Road land, but was “gazumped” by the larger retailer.
Mr Russell said a Morrisons representative told him last year the company was close to announcing a deal.
A few months later, Mr Russell claimed, he met a senior member of Taylor Wimpey and was told Tesco had acquired the site after offering more money.
Mr Russell said: “It is my belief, although I cannot prove it, Tesco paid an enhanced price for the Butt Road site to keep Morrisons out of Colchester.”
The land already has planning permission for a food store and retail units.
Tesco is to consult on the plans before submitting a detailed planning application to Colchester Council later this year.
The store, which would create around 90 jobs for the town, is likely to open in 2013.
Louise Gosling, Tesco’s regional corporate affairs manager, said: "We are committed to investing in Colchester long-term.
“Our emerging plans for Butt Road present a positive opportunity to provide local shopping services for the immediate neighbourhood.
“As always, we followed the letter of the law when buying the land and will continue to observe strict planning practice throughout the application process."
No one from Morrisons was available to speak. Taylor Wimpey declined to comment.
Comments(16)
Boris
says...
6:46pm Tue 18 Oct 11
SOMETHING2SAY wrote:Once they have driven all the other grocers to the wall, see if you get fair prices then.
And whts the problem ??..Stores create jobs . Tescos sell quality goods...and at fairer prices...surely we all want that ??...Too many shops are greedy...but you get a fair deal with Tesco. !
There are plenty of Tesco stores already, we don't need any more.
And - read the story - what have you got against Morrisons?
Feisty CBC
says...
6:57pm Tue 18 Oct 11
6079 Smith W
says...
7:44pm Tue 18 Oct 11
Anyway, if you want a brilliant observation on Tesco - Armando Innucci - of The Thick Of It fame. Worryingly, he did support the lib-dems at the last election - but at least he's deeply ashamed now! My guess is that the likes of Armando will now support things like the 'Occupy' movement - where else is there to go other than people power?
http://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=0PSyiRXIE
yc
No! I am Spartacus
says...
7:52pm Tue 18 Oct 11
Whilst we all suffer austerity, the super markets continue with huge profits... don't be fooled.
As Boris intimated, if we aren't careful we will soon be without any alternative- not a pleasing prospect.
jut1972
says...
9:47pm Tue 18 Oct 11
I'm not sure I understand the issue with protecting smaller retailers who sell food like they are an endangered species. It's hardly robbing consumers of choice. Local food retailers dont have a divine right to be absolved of the effects of competition. Plenty of big companies go to the wall every year, look at the FTSE from 20 years ago, half of those companies no longer exist.
Cliff
says...
11:35pm Tue 18 Oct 11
RB, Lexden
says...
10:58am Wed 19 Oct 11
ul lefties like Bob Russell,Boris and Comrade Key naturally dislike successful wealth creators and simply want to handicap the greyhounds.Tesco has done a terrific job forcing prices down - who wants to pay inflated prices at the Co-Op ? -and their presence in Crouch Street has not led to the closure of either Gunton's or Whitnell's.
6079 Smith W
says...
8:02pm Wed 19 Oct 11
RB, Lexden wrote:Bob Russell, 'left-wing'? If you think a supporter of this nasty government is that, your lunatic extremism is simply off the scale. Get some help - or those guys in straitjackets will be taking you away.
Chippy,narky,resentf
ul lefties like Bob Russell,Boris and Comrade Key naturally dislike successful wealth creators and simply want to handicap the greyhounds.Tesco has done a terrific job forcing prices down - who wants to pay inflated prices at the Co-Op ? -and their presence in Crouch Street has not led to the closure of either Gunton's or Whitnell's.
6079 Smith W
says...
8:05pm Wed 19 Oct 11
Cliff wrote:Em, I spy a split within the orangey yellow bit of the Condem party. Bring it on!
Land for sale - highest bidder buys it. What's wrong with that?
But are we witnessing the next Terry Sutton in action, Cliff? Though he just led where the rest of you later followed.
savebrickhillparade
says...
1:59pm Thu 20 Oct 11
ops.weebly.comindex.
html and http:www.tescopoly.o
rg. Fight them all they way. Good luck
comeonyouirons
says...
4:31pm Thu 20 Oct 11
6079 Smith W
says...
5:53pm Thu 20 Oct 11
6079 Smith W wrote:'...guys with straitjackets', not in them. They're obviously for anybody who thinks privatising our NHS is 'left-wing'...
RB, Lexden wrote:Bob Russell, 'left-wing'? If you think a supporter of this nasty government is that, your lunatic extremism is simply off the scale. Get some help - or those guys in straitjackets will be taking you away.
Chippy,narky,resentf
ul lefties like Bob Russell,Boris and Comrade Key naturally dislike successful wealth creators and simply want to handicap the greyhounds.Tesco has done a terrific job forcing prices down - who wants to pay inflated prices at the Co-Op ? -and their presence in Crouch Street has not led to the closure of either Gunton's or Whitnell's.
colcestrian1961
says...
12:50pm Sun 23 Oct 11
lding companys selling land off for deals etc...should think a little harder about the community....We now dont get the deals advertised by Morrisons on the TV unless you want to drive to Clacton...There also needs to be an enquiry in new build businesses selling the car park lands to Freehold Management companies in London, then applying service charges to freehold houses of over £100 per year for footpaths and car park access...The people at Borough planing are hiding behind this cant do ethos as it is within the law...etc etc....Bets if it was a small local firm with little clout the hammer would come down hard on the minnow business....Please go away T......O Every Little Only Helps You!!!!
savebrickhillparade
says...
5:31pm Sun 23 Oct 11
jacklumber1
says...
12:46pm Mon 24 Oct 11
SOMETHING2SAY says...
6:10pm Tue 18 Oct 11