Tesco Expansion

Three issues remain for Rhuthun following the landmark decision by a planning inspector to allow Tesco to expand in the town: will Tesco actually expand; what is the state of the town; and what do town traders think? We look at one of these points here, with the rest to follow…

Like it did with the Castle expansion proposals, The Vale Advertiser (published Fridays) stole a march on its rival Free Press (Thursdays) by being the first to report on Tesco. It spoke to six people from five traders. The views were mixed but generally either neutral or negative.

The clothes shop proprietor at Montecito felt that Tesco would bring people into the town. He also stated that footfall had not suffered “at all” since Tesco first opened in July 2006 (implying it had not increased, either). A shop assistant at the same store, in agreeing that Tesco would not affect such an upmarket fashion emporium as Montecito, conceded that Tesco could affect some town traders.

Would it be right that a down turn among some traders could affect the viability of the remainder?

In spite of plans for a Tesco café, the proprietrix of Doodles café felt the plans would not have a huge effect. She acknowledged that Doodles had lost some trade already, owing to a general loss of footfall. “What we have noticed is that there is less foot traffic than there used to be… overall the town is quieter”.

The proprietors of Watergate tearooms stated their existing business had not suffered (owing to their nearness to both a car park and the Old Gaol) but did not wish to see any Tesco expansion. They felt that Tesco’s record profits, also announced in the same week as the planning inspector’s, skew the whole economy.

“I don’t think it will do the town much good. I think people will stay down there rather than come into the town”, was the view of the proprietrix of the leather craft shop, Hide Away.

Finally, John Jones the butcher’s proprietor felt that Tesco had already had an adverse affect on the town. “When you look at the empty shops and the shops that have closed down, it’s not rocket science to work out what’s happening, is it?”