Guy Mitchell, chairman of the chamber of trade in Southwold
Southwold: Chamber of Trade gives cautious backing to Tesco plans
By Jonathan Barnes
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
3:28 PM
SOUTHWOLD’S Chamber of Trade has given a cautious welcome to plans by supermarket giant Tesco to open a store in the town.
But it said it remained vital that residents and visitors continued to support independent traders.
The EADT revealed last week that Tesco is intending to open an Express store in the former Co-op premises in Queen Street.
It would be the second supermarket in the town, with the Co-op now on the former Somerfield site in the Market Place.
Guy Mitchell, chairman of the Chamber of Trade, said the town was big enough to sustain two supermarkets, but sounded a warning that local traders would need strong support.
“We welcome any new business to Southwold and we’re pleased that, against the national trend, we don’t have empty shops,” he said.
“Southwold will retain its character and its mix of independent shops as long as customers continue to use them.
“It’s the customers who make up the fabric of the high street.”
Mr Mitchell, who runs Spots toy shop and Southwold post office, said the chamber’s reaction would be “quite different” if Tesco planned to open a superstore on the edge of town – taking people away from the main shopping strip.
“If Tesco brings more people into the town centre, it will benefit the town,” he said.
The retailer, which is also looking to open stores in Saxmundham, Leiston and Halesworth, said it believed the site would be an “excellent” location for an Express store.
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6 comments
Let them get a foot in the door and the out of town store will be next
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Jacob Burns
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
They must be doing something right! People might moan about it, but when it comes to the crunch, I bet we'll all be in there stocking up on tesco value blue and white striped goods. I prefer asda smartprice myself.
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Rhino
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
There won't be a town or large village in the world left without a Tesco I'm afraid.And then you'll get people on here saying they want them for cheap food.They're no cheaper than other supermarkets-it's swings and roundabouts
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Mary Mary
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Unfortunately, the national Co-Op took over the Somerfield supermarket, thus causing the East Anglian Co-Op, which ran the small supermarket Tecso now propose to open up in, to close down; presumably to avoid competition. The ex-Somerfield hasn't worked out very well for Southwold, and hasn't adapted itself to what people want. I don't like the idea of Tesco everywhere, but this way we avoid a massive out of town store whilst still getting a better choice. I will however continue to use the independent corner shop grocers etc in Reydon and Station Road Southwold, as their prices are excellent, the choice very good and I know the people who run them.
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T Doff
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Tesco will continue to open so long as customers choose to spend their money in them. When small traders offer value they may attract their customers back. Fact of life folk - survival of the fittest
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Citizen
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Oh no, will there be a town or large village left in Suffolk without a Tesco? They are spreading like a nasty rash over the county.
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Steve Blake
Wednesday, May 18, 2011