St. Albans Observer: Tesco Battle Rages On

In today's St. Albans Observer, Tesco spokesman Michael Kissman says that people shopping at the store they hope to build on London Road will "pop into town and support their local shops."

Shame, then, that if they build a Tesco where they're proposing to, Tesco may very well kill off those local shops. Many have argued that the edge of centre site would act as a barrier to city centre shopping rather than as a much needed magnet to the city centre. Not only is the site of the proposed store a full 6/10th's of a mile up a slight incline away, but the store is likely to impose a strict 2-3 hour parking limit, making it nearly impossible to do the weekly shop and leave the car to continue shopping in town.

Kissman, not seen in local papers since he proclaimed that local opinion was split 50:50 on the plans - a claim most local people found to be unbelievable - is facing a growing uphill march of his own:

The St. Albans Green Party found that of the 100 respondents to it's own poll, 96% of respondents were against the plans.

Local Lib Dem activists have also set up a website in opposition to Tesco's plans and are polling opinion themselves.

The St. Albans Observer has started a Save Our Shops campaign, in part inspired by the Tesco plans.

St. Albans Convervative party MP, Anne Main is also against the proposals.

It increasingly appears that Tesco, and it's spokesman Michael Kissman, are alone in wanting to build a Tesco on the Evershed site in St. Albans. Will the last one out turn off the lights please...