The Evening Standard front page today (First Edition only) reports on how 'Tesco has been refused permission to open a mini-supermarket, specifically on the grounds of the harm it would cause to 24 independent traders in the area'. Barnet councillor Brian Coleman is quoted as saying 'This is truly a victory against the odds... I'm delighted that we have shown that local councils can stand up to huge retailers'.
This is great news for those opposed to Tesco in St Albans - one of the main objections is the impact the store is likely to have on the historic market as well as small local shops.
The Evening Standard also reports that last week Tesco was refused permission to open a 80,000 square foot store in Yiewsley,Hillingdon because 'of the risk of turning the village and nearby West Drayton into a ghost town'. This seems to go against Tesco's view that they have '...helped to boost business for local traders in over 100 market towns'!
UPDATE: The BBC also covered this story - and adds the interesting news that Tesco was 'using Trojan horse tactics - using the cover of the premises' leaseholder, a carpet shop, to apply for a change to the planning conditions'. You might wonder if Sir Terry Leahy thinks this is a good example of how to 'treat people how we like to be treated', as outlined on Tesco's 'Corporate Responsiblity' page.
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