Author: Sal
Are Tesco Coming to Town?
Friday, 14th October, 2005 at 11:20 am, Isle of Wight
Rumours have been flying around for some time, as to whether Tesco’s are coming to Ventnor.
A quick check on the iwight Website confirmed that the planning application to demolish and rebuild on the site of 52-56 High Street (between Magical Wanderings and The Central Tap) has been approved and work is due to start shortly.
I’ve seen first hand how this supermarket giant have gone into a town and destroyed the local businesses … bakers, butchers, fishmongers and florists having to close down over a period of years, resulting in the town being left with a monolithic supermarket, and rows of empty shops in it’s shadow – dead except for the pallid fluorescent light they pump out on to the street.
Often, it’s the developers who drive these schemes, and who are, of course, motivated by money rather than the good of the community – despite what they protest at the time. However, from what I’ve seen of the community spirit in Ventnor, I’d be surprised if people switched from the local businesses – until Tesco’s drop their prices.
From what I’ve observed, tricks used by Tesco previously include :
- opening 24 hours “for your convenience”. This was until the local businesses that did open late, found it impossible to compete and closed. Tesco’s then returned to normal operating hours, “your convenience” then being forgotten.
- agressively dropping prices, until the local shops could no longer compete.
I do hope that when Tesco’s finally opens in Ventnor, my doubts are proved wrong.
There’s a poll on the forum where you can vote ‘yay’ or ‘nay’.
If anyone is interested in viewing the plans for the site, they are available online. Application numbers: TCP/13798/C PIN: P/01572/04
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[...] If you’ve been following the blog since it’s beginning, you’ll know my views on Tesco and it’s plans for Ventnor. Skeptical might sum it up. Well, one forum member, Greenboy, recently wrote to Tesco to find out what they plan to do about the derelict building that they own on the High Street, opposite the Central car park. You know … they one that’s falling apart. He asked them when they planned to remove the eyesore and actually start building. [...]
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i find it difficult to work out which shops other than summerfield will suffer from tesco”s arrival
how ever i am basing this on visits to t/express shops on the mainland as i have not visited the shop in wootoni is that one a gft,estate/kebab/chippy? or perhaps a haberdashery/ironmonger/charity shop. Will they make shoes ,sell antioues or modeling eouipment or am i thinking about a different tesco express
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butchers, bakers, stationer/paper/sweet/card/ shop, pet food, green grocers, off licence, stationers….
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