“Did Co-op or Somerfield get this much abuse when they opened?”
I am slowly working through recent comments left on this website. I intend posting some highlights in the near future. For now, though, an anonymous commenter stated on 15 April 2007, “Did Co-op or Somerfield get this much abuse (sic) when they opened?” (We take it by the term “abuse” that the unknown person feels this site is anti-Tesco).
The commenter implies that the Co-op had a trouble free opening; obviously, they have a short memory.
Residents will recall that when Co-op’s predecessor Lo-Cost arrived well over 15 years ago, there was much debate about the future of the town centre. And from one perspective, the fears of the anti-Lo-Cost camp were actually proven to be correct.
It was Lo-Cost that put paid to all the established grocers in the town centre. Within two years, Williams, Roberts, Grosvenor, Crown House and Aibee’s had all gone. It was then impossible to buy fruit and veg in the town centre in any quantity, till the short-lived grocers in Castle Mews and then Cabbage Patch traded. Latterly, Reebee’s opened but closed after Tesco arrived (though its florist remains open).
The only veg shop now in town is Ruthin Organics, a post Co-op venture established in 1996 at the Thursday-only Town Hall market, transferring since 2004 to a lock-up shop in Mwrog Street, and which opens on Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays only.
Butchers have not faired much better. Two in Well Street and one in Clwyd Street closed post Lo-Cost, including the renowned Clwyd the Butcher, now trading solely from Llandyrnog. This left John Jones in Clwyd Street, joined by the late, post Lo-Cost entry of W G Jones, Well Street.
And older Rhuthun residents will recall that there was consternation at the time that Lo-Cost might see off KwikSave (now Somerfield). It didn’t, but Lo-Cost did close the other “supermarket” in the town, Warren’s, and it wasn’t long after Lo-Cost arrived that the old and much smaller Co-op on St Peter’s Square also closed – this was before Co-op bought out the Lo-Cost chain.
For better or worse, Lo-Cost had quite an impact on the town centre. It is therefore legitimate that town traders air their views now about the affect a Tesco expansion may have. The difference between Tesco and Lo-Cost is the scale, amount of comparison goods promised and Tesco’s market dominance. These, however, are not necessarily bad things in themselves; but they do need careful consideration.
I am slowly working through recent comments left on this website. I intend posting some highlights in the near future. For now, though, an anonymous commenter stated on 15 April 2007, “Did Co-op or Somerfield get this much abuse (sic) when they opened?” (We take it by the term “abuse” that the unknown person feels this site is anti-Tesco).
The commenter implies that the Co-op had a trouble free opening; obviously, they have a short memory.
Residents will recall that when Co-op’s predecessor Lo-Cost arrived well over 15 years ago, there was much debate about the future of the town centre. And from one perspective, the fears of the anti-Lo-Cost camp were actually proven to be correct.
It was Lo-Cost that put paid to all the established grocers in the town centre. Within two years, Williams, Roberts, Grosvenor, Crown House and Aibee’s had all gone. It was then impossible to buy fruit and veg in the town centre in any quantity, till the short-lived grocers in Castle Mews and then Cabbage Patch traded. Latterly, Reebee’s opened but closed after Tesco arrived (though its florist remains open).
The only veg shop now in town is Ruthin Organics, a post Co-op venture established in 1996 at the Thursday-only Town Hall market, transferring since 2004 to a lock-up shop in Mwrog Street, and which opens on Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays only.
Butchers have not faired much better. Two in Well Street and one in Clwyd Street closed post Lo-Cost, including the renowned Clwyd the Butcher, now trading solely from Llandyrnog. This left John Jones in Clwyd Street, joined by the late, post Lo-Cost entry of W G Jones, Well Street.
And older Rhuthun residents will recall that there was consternation at the time that Lo-Cost might see off KwikSave (now Somerfield). It didn’t, but Lo-Cost did close the other “supermarket” in the town, Warren’s, and it wasn’t long after Lo-Cost arrived that the old and much smaller Co-op on St Peter’s Square also closed – this was before Co-op bought out the Lo-Cost chain.
For better or worse, Lo-Cost had quite an impact on the town centre. It is therefore legitimate that town traders air their views now about the affect a Tesco expansion may have. The difference between Tesco and Lo-Cost is the scale, amount of comparison goods promised and Tesco’s market dominance. These, however, are not necessarily bad things in themselves; but they do need careful consideration.