Trouble in store for Tesco plans

Protesters fear the new store would harm local shops

Campaigners have protested against plans for a new 24-hour Tesco store in the Partick area of Glasgow.

A public meeting heard fears that the new store would increase congestion and damage small businesses.

Tesco said it would not comment on the proposals until after their consideration by Glasgow City Council's planning committee.

The plans would see a 9,950 sq m store built on derelict land at the bottom of Byres Road.

The area was once the site of the historic Partick Central Railway Station ticket office building.

The development would also include about 700 student flats and an underground car park with space for more than 500 vehicles.

In spite of what is being said about big supermarkets bringing people in to the area we are saying they obviously have the opposite effect Dr Samer Bagaeen Stop campaigner

Tesco has been facing increasing scrutiny over its potential impact on smaller traders in the UK. The firm now accounts for nearly a third of the British grocery market.

Last month, planners in Inverness blocked proposals for a fourth Tesco supermarket to be built in the city.

Dr Samer Bagaeen of the Stop Tesco Owning Partick (Stop) group, said he was concerned that a new supermarket would squeeze out local businesses.

Speaking before the meeting in Partick Burgh Hall, which was attended by about 150 people, Dr Bagaeen said: "We are worried about the impact on Byres Road and Dumbarton Road.

Independent traders

"In spite of what is being said about big supermarkets bringing people in to the area we are saying they obviously have the opposite effect."

Andrew Watson, spokesman for the Federation of Small Businesses, said he believed the big supermarket chains were forcing many independent traders out of business.

Mr Watson said: "The official statistics for Scotland show that in the six years between 1998-2004 something like 600 small businesses, from butchers to greengrocers and bakers, had actually gone out of business.

"In the last year a further 200 have gone out of business so we are worried about the impact they are having on the high streets.

The supermarket chain has announced record profits

"It does seem that Tesco, and Inverness is a good example of this, is starting to own the town."

However, Judy Bevan, author of the Trolley Wars book about supermarket competition in the UK, said it was up to smaller shops to adapt to change.

"I think competition is healthy and it is up to the independent sector to fight its corner," she said.

"They should try to offer different things from what is on offer at Tesco and to have wonderful service so that when someone goes into their shop they feel great and they find what they want."

The protest took place ahead of Tesco's announcement of record profits of £2.55bn.