Reports in the local media suggest that Tesco's plans for world domination have now extended to converting old pubs into stores and even deputy leader of the city council and capitalist lickspittle Graham Chapman doesn't like it.
Tesco plan to convert the Jolly Higglers in Radford, where the council had turned down a Tesco on a neighbouring site, and The Oakdale in Bakersfield.
Changes to planning legislation in 2008 mean - bizarrely - that planning permission for a pub can be carried over into a store on the same site without additional planning permission.
Moving into vacant pubs makes a lot of sense for Tesco. With 6 closing every day across the UK as the effects of the recession and the smoking ban bite there certainly isn't a shortage of them.
Chapman isn't opposed to Tesco on principle: "Some parts of the city are crying out for a small store like that and it would be very beneficial. In other places it is going to wreck the local shopping economy and it is also going to disturb a lot of people."
Crucially, Chapman admits: "At the moment (Tesco) is making the decisions, not the council or residents."
It should be clear that we cannot rely on the council to protect our communities from predatory companies.
Opponents would do well to learn from examples like Bristol where campaigners recently squatted the old Jester's Comedy Club which Tesco plans to convert into a store.
Changes to planning legislation in 2008 mean - bizarrely - that planning permission for a pub can be carried over into a store on the same site without additional planning permission.
Moving into vacant pubs makes a lot of sense for Tesco. With 6 closing every day across the UK as the effects of the recession and the smoking ban bite there certainly isn't a shortage of them.
Chapman isn't opposed to Tesco on principle: "Some parts of the city are crying out for a small store like that and it would be very beneficial. In other places it is going to wreck the local shopping economy and it is also going to disturb a lot of people."
Crucially, Chapman admits: "At the moment (Tesco) is making the decisions, not the council or residents."
It should be clear that we cannot rely on the council to protect our communities from predatory companies.
Opponents would do well to learn from examples like Bristol where campaigners recently squatted the old Jester's Comedy Club which Tesco plans to convert into a store.
Protectionism?
31.03.2010 21:17
I think tesco offers good value. If I go to local corner shops my grocery bill rockets. I simple can't afford to be choosy. If Tesco were so bad, then people wouldn't shop there.
A big help actually
Tesco-asda arent really cheaper than local grocers, coop or market stalls
01.04.2010 01:59
Tesco& Asda should cooperativise& mutualise, that would be even better for all of us& save us more2:)
Captain co-op
re: protectionism?
04.04.2010 12:01
Obviously buying a tin of beans from a centre of town off licence or chain convenience store is going to be more expensive - but my fruit and veg bill is less than half what it would be from a supermarket in my local greengrocers. And that's still from a for-profit business.
anon