Letter to the Wanstead & Woodford Guardian
Dear Editor,
Should Redbridge accept any proposal to permit Tesco to operate at the old Woolworth store in Wanstead, the Council will perfectly illustrate how out of touch with the character of the area it is and demonstrate the total disregard it has for its residents and independent businesses.
Yet another chain store would negatively impact on the existing make-up of the high street, cause people to lose their livelihoods and, due to the further traffic congestion and inherent parking difficulties, seriously undermine the village atmosphere of the surrounding environs.
It is our understanding that Somerfield was looking to sell its plot to the ethical Co-operative group and a like for like business exchange should not pose any further problems. Furthermore this type outlet would be ideal for Wanstead, especially in view of the London Borough of Redbridge’s recently acquired Fairtrade status.
Wanstead does not need another supermarket and certainly not a Tesco, what with there already being three in the immediate vicinity and in view of this we shall encourage a protest in the strongest possible terms in an effort to put a stop to this economical, social, ethical and environmental nonsensical scheme.
Yours sincerely
Ashley Gunstock
Leading Spokesman
The Green Party - Redbridge
Hi Ashley
ReplyDeleteShould Redbridge accept any proposal to permit Tesco to operate at the old Woolworth store in Wanstead, it may simply demonstrate the limitations of our planning laws, rather than anything about the Council. We've had several similar cases in Lewisham, where TESCO has bought up empty retail units. If they are already in A1 retail use, as I presume a Woolworths would have been, then the only thing TESCO would need planning permission for would probably any changes in signage, installing an ATM and perhaps highways issues. Not much we as planning cttee members can do to prevent it as it's difficult to find valid planning grounds for refusal that would hold up at an appeal.
The villagers of Wanstead have a choice. They don’t have to shop there, and if they don’t the market will drive them out. It will not attract customers from a wider area as there are other Tescos handy (as you point out) with er like a free car park!!!!
ReplyDeleteIts easy enough to say the people of wanstead have a choice, but in reality on a week day evening when you need something usually accuired at Woolies, our only option is now Tesco's. More people should wakeup to the fact that large chains such as Tesco are gradually monopolising retail and driving the small buisness and less political chains out. It seems to me that soon a few organisations will have all the money in the world to do with what they want, which to me seems a huge concern, espesially when such orginisaions are useing thier aquired wealth to fund the genocide such as the recent attrosity's we have seen in Gaza. I personally would never want to enter a Tesco store again now I have such awareness.
ReplyDeleteAnon,
ReplyDeleteWhat evidence do you have to support your assertion that "Tescos is funding genocide"?
References please.
http://dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/2009/01/27/arrests-over-israel-boycott-in-tescos/
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dignow.org/tag/boycott+tesco
https://secure.tesco.com/books/product.aspx?R=9780521850285&in_merch=1&in_merch_title=You+may+also+like&in_merch_name=History+of+Modern+Israel%2C+A
What you have supplied Anon is not Evidence but conjecture and hearsay.
ReplyDeleteThat Tescos has Jewish connections and stocks Israeli goods does not make them complicit in “funding genocide”.
You may as well accuse me, as a British taxpayer, of funding illegal foreign wars!
We the Tax payer fund an awull amount of un-known sectret things dont we, and we dont even know it!!
ReplyDeleteCouncils could use their power to refuse a licence to sell alcohol. That would take the wind out of the sails of the likes of Tesco and its desire to dominate the high streets.
ReplyDeleteHere Here Ashley!!!
ReplyDeleteI think Tesco's agenda goes further than the high road!
ReplyDeleteYour absolutly right Ashley, and I think we both know Tesco's agenda runs further than the high road.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0G8PuBHfehU&feature=PlayList&p=5867961EFA9AE741&index=0
ReplyDelete