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Posted by: theone09 Sep 17 2009, 12:34 PM

On the 3rd page of the NWN.

Do we really need another Tesco in Newbury?

I don't believe we do, but it will be quite good as i live near where the new store will be based.

If you don't know comet, harveys & sleepmasters are closing & will be replaced by a Tesco, hoping to open in summer 2010

Posted by: GMR Sep 17 2009, 02:34 PM

Don't forget that Tesco's own OneStop as well. I think the whole point is to squeeze out other businesses as well. Then the next stop would be to conquer the world

Posted by: Wicca Sep 17 2009, 02:46 PM

I guess it makes sense as then they have two big stores at opposite ends of Newbury.

Posted by: theone09 Sep 17 2009, 02:47 PM

OH yes, i forgot they owned one stop, talking about conquering the world there's a video on you tube of Tesco having a war with Denmark

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfSi0D7KESk

Posted by: gizmo Sep 17 2009, 03:30 PM

Apparently it will not be a supermarket.
It is going to be selling household items and furniture, electrical items, jewellery, DIY, sports items, toys and games as featured in the Tesco Direct Catalogue.

Posted by: theone09 Sep 17 2009, 03:35 PM

According to the NWN, they spoke to Tesco & it's going to mainly sell food

Posted by: Strafin Sep 17 2009, 04:17 PM

That is VERY funny!!

Posted by: gel Sep 17 2009, 04:26 PM

They'll need to get planning permission if they want to sell food at that location.

Lots of empty sites around the country like old MFI stores, remain empty as local planners
will not ease restrictions and allow food retailers to take over.

But I guess Tesco may well get green light.

Posted by: wabbit Sep 17 2009, 04:49 PM

Er? Another Tesco? We already have three in a three mile radius (if you count the one in North Thatcham). Tesco's land bank is colossal - but do we have to become another Tesco Town?

I don't understand why Asda or Morrisons don't try for the site? Does the Competition Commission still have teeth or do we have another of those 'done deals' which operate so successfully here in West Berks?

Posted by: Branston Pickle Sep 17 2009, 05:20 PM

I've also heard that Tesco would be using the site to sell white goods, furniture etc. I can't imagine them opening two large food store in one town.

Posted by: Darren Sep 17 2009, 05:26 PM

If there's an extra buck to be made. I understand there is one person on Turnpike who hasn't spent any money with them...

Posted by: GMR Sep 17 2009, 09:02 PM

I know this is slightly (and only slightly) going off topic but the paper said that Tesco's will occupy Comets old store and others along there. But it didn't stay whether Comets will be moving to another local area or not. Does anybody know if they are?

Posted by: On the edge Sep 17 2009, 09:09 PM

Pretty weird this, I thought we didn't like nationalised or rather monopoly industries any more? USSR had GOM, we have Tesco.

Posted by: GMR Sep 17 2009, 09:12 PM

Unless you've got an ear to the Prime Minister which Tesco's chief Executive has.

Posted by: user23 Sep 18 2009, 07:49 AM

Of course "we" do, "we" just like them to be owned by private companies rather than us taxpayers.

Posted by: blackdog Sep 18 2009, 09:46 AM

What planning restrictions? Who has been prevented from setting up a food store? ALDI didn't seem to have any problems.

Posted by: dannyboy Sep 18 2009, 10:13 AM

we don't have to become a Tesco town. But it is what the general public want.

Posted by: wabbit Sep 18 2009, 12:54 PM

Sorry - not sure we, the General Public, have actually been asked! I certainly haven't been. If I had, I would have expressed a wish for choice - not three stores within such close proximity owned by the same company. As a matter of interest, does anyone know why Asda & Morrisons don't seem to be interested in coming to West Berks? I'm not sure, before anyone answers' demographics' because I would say that Newbury has more than its fair share of C's and D's now!!

Just as when Tesco keep re-developing their Pinchington Lane store, they put notices up saying things like 'we are making your store better for you' - no, they are making their store better for them so that they can make more money.

It may be dressed up as 'progress' but I'm not sure if it isn't more rampant consumerism.

Posted by: Blake Sep 18 2009, 01:48 PM

I am very much in favour of a new store opening there.

I think West Berks has poor competition in grocery stores; we have no Asda or Morrison's and not really that many of the others either.

As long as it has good recycling facilities and a gas station, I welcome it.

Posted by: Biker1 Sep 18 2009, 03:46 PM

It IS what the people want or it would not be happening.

If I / they are wrong then nobody will use it will they?

Posted by: wabbit Sep 18 2009, 03:57 PM

Do you really believe that?

Yeah - ok. By that logic then, WE (you, me, us) all wanted the Parkway development as well then?

The 'people' who want it are Tesco. Sure, 'people' will use it - 'people' will do most things - but it doesn't make it right (in my opinion )

I'm personally not even particularly against Tesco opening another store but I would like to see competition and I'm not sure WE were ever consulted - that is my point.

Posted by: theone09 Sep 18 2009, 04:57 PM

It's NOT what everyone wants, we don't need another Tesco & i expect most other people don't want another one!

Posted by: Chesapeake Sep 18 2009, 05:01 PM

I agree. I don't want another one either. I don't even want the ones that are here! I hate Tescos with a passion.

Posted by: theone09 Sep 18 2009, 05:34 PM

Tesco is OK. but Sainsbury's is better

Posted by: Hugh Saskin Sep 18 2009, 06:03 PM

I agree - pity Sainsburys will be closing for a week end of October though. Will have to give Waitrose my custom for a week. Bit pricey, wrong end of town, but a very decent type of customer and excellent staff

Posted by: Biker1 Sep 18 2009, 06:15 PM

Tesco's didn't get where they are today by NOT giving people what they want!!

(I didn't say it was right or what we need)
(And I didn't say "everybody")

We live in a market led economy - the people (in general) get what the people want (in retail especially)

Posted by: Hugh Saskin Sep 18 2009, 06:19 PM

But not everyone, obviously. Think I may have said it on here before but in Ireland, where Tesco haven't had the chance to get as well entrenched as here, they have been taken on head to head by Aldi and Lidl, and the latter two are winning.

Posted by: Biker1 Sep 18 2009, 06:22 PM

Yes - that's right.

I use the term "the people" as a general ism - not individual opinion but as a whole.

Posted by: Biker1 Sep 18 2009, 06:24 PM

Obviously

Posted by: dannyboy Sep 18 2009, 06:42 PM

you don't need to be asked - simply vote with your wallet & don't shop there. If every one in Newbury did that , how long do you think Tesco would keep their new furniture store open? Trouble is people will shop there.

Posted by: JeffG Sep 18 2009, 06:51 PM

Unfortunately, most people, often through necessity it has to be said, shop by price, not by quality, and without regard to how it is produced.

What people want is not necessarily what is good for them (oo-er: just realised you could say that about politics too!) or the producers.

By the way, have Tesco's stopped selling battery eggs like the other supermarkets yet?

Posted by: dannyboy Sep 18 2009, 06:53 PM

didn't Tesco break the fixing of prices by manufacturers in the 1950's?

Posted by: Strafin Sep 18 2009, 07:50 PM

No, nor have Sainsburys, Iceland, Morrisons or Asda.

Posted by: JeffG Sep 18 2009, 07:55 PM

You should get your facts straight first.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/article5535331.ece

Posted by: Hugh Saskin Sep 18 2009, 08:06 PM

Yes, perhaps - but would you have wanted to be seen dead in their shops then? Perhaps not, doubt you can remember that far back....

Posted by: Strafin Sep 18 2009, 08:13 PM

Fair enough, I thought the "basics range" were still battery, I stand corrected, however Sainsbury's is just one and not all the other supermarkets. I am pretty sure they still use plenty of battery eggs in their produce though. I don't mind, I just felt that you comment was implying that Tesco are the worst of the bunch, and I thought it wasn't quite impartial.

Posted by: dannyboy Sep 18 2009, 09:11 PM

was only born in the '70s so, no I wouldn't remember it.

It was discussed at length in Jack Cohens autobiography. Cohen had signs in his shops saying that he wanted to sell produc at a discounted price, but couldn't as the manufacturers set the retail price & were adamant that is could not be discounted.

Posted by: dannyboy Sep 18 2009, 09:14 PM

http://www.bhwt.org.uk/caring-consumer.php#

Posted by: Hugh Saskin Sep 19 2009, 05:36 AM

They were pretty grim places, believe me. Made the Aldis of today look like Harrods Food Hall. I also think a large Aldi or Lidl in Newbury would attract a lot of Tescos customers.

Posted by: wabbit Sep 19 2009, 08:10 AM

You're right - they were very grim indeed. Anyone remember Tesco in Northbrook Street where 'Sharon' would hold something up above her head and shout 'anyone know 'ow much them biscuits is?'...

Tesco has done an amazing job of re-inventing itself as an aspirational brand - and can't blame them for that but it seems, from what I'm witnessing, that they are slipping back a little.

Posted by: JeffG Sep 19 2009, 10:26 AM

Looks like Somerfield and Tesco are bottom of the list, then.

Posted by: Hugh Saskin Sep 19 2009, 10:47 AM

Expect that will change in respect of Somerfield now that the Co-op have taken them over since the latter have had an ethical policy for many years

Posted by: Strafin Sep 19 2009, 10:58 AM

I'm not sure that any of them should be praised if they are still selling battery egg products. Only M&S and Selfridges can claim the moral high ground on the egg issue at the moment

Posted by: Hugh Saskin Sep 19 2009, 11:39 AM

You sure? I think you will find that the Co-op claims to be a leader of the field in animal welfare when it comes to food.

http://www.co-operative.coop/food/ethics/

Posted by: JeffG Sep 19 2009, 12:54 PM

Maybe not praise yet, but at least all but two have plans in place. Going on Hugh's post, that would narrow down to only Tesco having no regard for animal welfare, only profits.

Posted by: Strafin Sep 19 2009, 03:36 PM

The Co-Op also came top in a test of quality in terms of using the least additives, sodium and saturated fats. My previous post was solely about the use of free range eggs, and according to the links put up on this thread, M&S and selfridges are the only ones who are completely battery egg free.

Posted by: Hugh Saskin Sep 19 2009, 06:41 PM

Looks like the Co-op now no longer stock battery hen eggs - and a good thing too

Posted by: Strafin Sep 19 2009, 06:44 PM

Yes, but they still use them in the products they are selling, as do most of the supermarkets, it's a bit hard I think for them to claim morality when they are still buying and selling battery egg products.

Posted by: Andy1 Sep 21 2009, 10:45 AM

I doubt it would be the case that if Tesco didn't move in then some other company would. There is obviously a demand for their cheap goods. Not everyone can afford to buy the best, they can however buy the best they can afford.

Extra jobs for the area as well but if they're selling white goods, it'll also be good to see Curry's and Comet get some competition

Posted by: Blake Sep 21 2009, 11:34 AM

I hope the new store will be green too. That is an absolute priority for the consumer now.

I hope to see it fitted with wind turbines, solar panels and good parking for bikes and good bus routes.

Posted by: Darren Sep 21 2009, 11:51 AM

If you want cheap, there is LIDL just down the road...

If it does get the go ahead and sells food, I can see the end of One-Stop in Kiln Road and Avon Road store.

Posted by: Iommi Sep 21 2009, 11:54 AM

...taken out of business leaving no competition.

Posted by: Biker1 Sep 24 2009, 07:16 AM

If, going by the general consensus of this thread, another Tescos is not wanted and, going by the result of the poll this week, another Tescos is not needed then surely no one will patronise such an establishment and it will go out of business.................wont it???

Posted by: Iommi Sep 24 2009, 07:32 AM

That's a silly argument. Why would no-one patronise it that objects? What people are concerned with might be the lack of competition, or Tesco swamping the market making competition harder, or simply that they would like a a different supermarket. None of these should mean avoid using Tesco. Especially if it means travelling further.

Posted by: Biker1 Sep 24 2009, 07:42 AM

It wasn't an argument - just a statement posing a question.

Your statement contradicts itself - either we want and need it or we don't.

If you want the competition to survive then use it and not Tescos

Posted by: Iommi Sep 24 2009, 07:59 AM

You know what you meant. Its subtext was - you object to it but I know you will use it.


But that is not true. It is not black and white. There are a LOT of people that ain't that bothered. Those that do care at all, would PREFER another. That doesn't mean one is a hypocrite for using those 'objectionable' stores.

I think it would be a good location for an ASDA; to put Tesco under a bit of pressure.

Posted by: Darren Sep 24 2009, 08:07 AM

The site in question is actually very small with less parking than the B&Q site has. Considering it would have to be shared with Poundstretcher and The Narrowboat, I don't see the value in having a supermarket there. Plus, where would Comet and the other stores go?

Posted by: Blake Sep 24 2009, 08:21 AM

But hopefully more people will be able to walk and cycle to this store as its nearer the concentration of homes in West Berks.

Posted by: Iommi Sep 24 2009, 09:19 AM

It is a good location for a store in so far as it will cut down on traffic to the Robin Hood junction.

Posted by: blackdog Sep 24 2009, 01:59 PM

The Narrowboat is on a separate site, if their customers have to stop parking on the Poundstretcher/Tesco car park it is not really Tesco's problem. Comet and the others can go wherever they like, once again, its not Tesco's problem.

The point in that Tesco will hope that residents from Turnpike etc will use this new store rather than passing it to go to Sainsburys, LIDL or ALDI. Its probably a pretty good site for them. I assume the store will not be another superstore, so the parking will probably suffice.

Posted by: dannyboy Sep 24 2009, 05:32 PM

Lidl have about 40 spaces at most on their site, shared with 2 other retailers. There should be plent of parking where Tesco are planning to open up.

Posted by: ArchitectRIBA Sep 28 2009, 09:50 AM

It looks as though locally the councillors have no teeth against the Tesco juggernaut, nor will this government (or a tory one) do anything with a company they deem to be so successful. We need more control over the big supermarkets who HAVE taken trade away from smaller businesses in the name of value, else this retail sector will go pear shaped like the banks when they decided to buy up all the building societies (or each other), where has that got us all ?

Posted by: blackdog Sep 28 2009, 02:05 PM

Currys are still going strong, aren't they? I've not been up to the retail park in the last few months.

Comet are obviously not interested in opening another store in Newbury, presumably because they weren't making much in the London Road one - which, let's face it - was pretty naff. If the Newbury store is an average example of their business they will be going the way of Woollies before long.

Posted by: blackdog Sep 28 2009, 02:13 PM

How do you decide which businesses to protect from competition? How would you propose that we regulate the retail trade to ensure that the smaller businesses survive? Retail shopping is democracy in action, people vote with their wallets and go where they can shop more cheaply or more conveniently - is it the government's business to go against what the people evidently want?

Posted by: On the edge Sep 28 2009, 07:34 PM

Of course, some sectors of the retail trade are more democratic than others..remember Northern Rock? In reality a failed retail business, bailed out by the government.....

Posted by: ArchitectRIBA Sep 30 2009, 12:34 PM

Sadly the politicians are failing to deal with the problem that large successfuk companies often easily have the finances to do what they want, alot of small traders seriously struggle to pay the leases on the units in this town which are well known to be very high. I know what our office pays in rent and council tax, its scary.
So how do you regulate - maybe a portion of the business rates that large companies pay such as Vodafone, Tesco, Waitrose etc needs to be redistributed to reduce council tax on small business premises under a certain size.
A windfall tax on the banks that are starting to make a lot of money again (before they dish it out in bonuses)?
If there are empty units (offices and shops) in the town why not encourage a reduction in the council tax to increase occupancy.
I just think its time the pendulum swung the other way a bit. Afterall the more trade the town can bring in, this will create increased footfall for the big shops too - is that not fair and democratic ?

Posted by: Newbury Expat Sep 30 2009, 05:10 PM

I agree that I would love to see small traders flourish in town centre's but they're fighting against the huge momentum of the large out of town retailers and have been for some time now.

Convenience has taken precedence over quality and personal service which you often find with local individual traders. While price has a part to play in the independent's demise over the years, it's also the fact that people want to do their shopping under one roof (hence the advent of the Tesco megastores).

Unless you can change consumer habits en masse, any sort of tax break (or other incentive) is likely to be a sand wall in the path of an increasing tide level. Fact is very few independents will be able to survive in this economy unless they already have a well established customer base. Sad to see it happen.

Posted by: Iommi Sep 30 2009, 10:21 PM

The public gets what the public wants.

Posted by: Sarah Sep 30 2009, 10:46 PM

True, and then they turn round and complain about it.

Posted by: Bill1 Oct 1 2009, 09:05 AM

Copywrite Mr P Weller 1980!

Posted by: ArchitectRIBA Oct 2 2009, 01:15 PM

HURRAH ! Tesco beaten by village of Holmfirth (for now). It took over a thousand objections - very democratic me thinks! It's a shame there is so much complacency down here just think what Newbury would have been like if Newburians clubbed together more often. By the way the Competition Commission are also looking at introducing a Competition Test for large supermarket planning applications, the Office of Fair Trading would advise on the potential impact of any new development. HURRAH HURRAH someone somewhere in government must have been reading our rants!!!!!!!