I AM a local girl now living in South London.

I have lived the Tesco experience in my area.

It convinces the local council a store is necessary in a particular area.

It promises to build a bus station/school/road. Then, it convinces the population it will bring jobs and services.

The company applies for planning permission for a smallish store to quieten the critics who say a large store is unacceptable on a given site.

It builds the store and whatever local amenity (a footpath to the High Street /car park in Walton’s case) and waits.

Shops gradually close, because you can get all you need in Tesco – the optician/ pharmacy/pet shop etc. Why walk along a draughty High Street when you can shop in an air-conditioned shop and buy everything in one go?

Then Tesco applies to extend the store as it is too small for the number of people using it. I have witnessed three local high streets become ghost towns as a result of Tesco’s policies.

You vote for a Tesco store at your peril.

Sue Barrell
South London