More Letters of Support

Two further letters from Stop Tesco. Simon Hepburn writes in the Evening Standard in reply to Tesco's massive profits...

"Tesco may be growing (17 April) but opposition to the supermarket's tactics for growth will grow faster unless it starts to listen to local people.

"One of St Albans' claims to fame is that it contains one Britain's first Tesco stores - something local residents are proud of. However Tesco has recently spent many years buying up all the land in one of the few remaining brownfield sites in the centre of town, centered around a former printworks. The site is has been long-designated by the council for housing. The 50,000 sq ft supermarket Tesco proposes will increase traffic and pollution and threaten the 1,000 year old market in the centre of the city.

"Since setting up the Stop Tesco campaign in January we've been overwhelmed by the support from residents and local politicians of all persuasions.

"Other recent cases where stores have been refused planning permission, at Finchley and Hillingdon show that the company needs to take a much more sensitive approach than in the past. While campaigners around the country are not against Tesco in principle, we have passed the point where the best solution for a brownfield site is automatically another supermarket."

Liz Needham writes in the St Albans and Harpenden Review about Tesco's potential damage to community spirit. She says,

"One of the unique selling points of St Albans is the ability of the city to retain the feel of a village, especially on the outskirts. I have always been struck by the fact that I cannot walk up Alma Road, London Road or Victoria Street without someone I know stopping for a chat...

"It would be to the detriment of our city if we lost this community spirit, but this is what I feel sure would happen if Tesco continues with its plans to build a supermarket on London Road...

"I, for one, would like to say stop, Tesco, please!"