Apparently everyone in Burngreave thinks that a new Tesco store will be really good for the area. Well I for one am not convinced, and I know plenty more people in the area who feel the same.
Despite Tesco’s claims to the contrary, there’s actually quite a lot of evidence that supermarkets often have the effect of closing down local competition. But just think, if they are not out to deliver a local service they are out to make money, and they do make lots. They do this by undercutting local competition and forcing them to closure. Sure in the short term we may be able to get cheaper food in the area, but at what cost? Am I the only person in the area to favour cultural richness and diversity over the cultural blandness that we get in so many of our high streets all over the country?
Think a little further ahead about regeneration, about the economic development in the area and in short the amount of money that you and other fellow residents are likely to end up with in years to come. At present the area has the potential to develop into a culturally rich economically thriving area. If you look at many areas around the UK that have moved from poverty to prosperity , they are often the ones that have developed thriving individual, cultural, and often artistic identities; for example, Islington/Stoke Newington – London, Aigburth – Liverpool, Nether Edge – Sheffield.
As I mentioned earlier there's also a lot of evidence that supermarkets tend to have a detrimental effect on local shops. For examples, see:
http://www.greenparty.org.uk/files/reports/2004/LIVE%20local%20shops%20and%20h igh%20streets.htm
http://www.tescno.co.uk/your_comment_2.html
http://www.ethicalnetwork.org/essays/supermarkets.php
Tesco also argue that they are creating local job opportunities. However I'd argue the consequence of Tesco is people shopping there instead of at local shops. This is of detriment to the local economy as with smaller locally owned shops any profits stay in the area. Furthermore culturally speaking supermarkets are a void creating a blandness that can be found anywhere adding nothing to the development of the area and removing lots of possibilities.
I accept that Tesco may supply cheaper goods, and in the short term this may appear attractive to residents who are short of money. However I feel it is a better solution to impliment actions that will improve their prosperity, whereas the proposed Tesco I believe is more likely to exaggerate local poverty.
Yours sincerely , Tim Woolliscroft