Do we really need a fourth Tesco Express?

8:20am Saturday 30th August 2008

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By David Paine »

A CONTROVERSIAL move to replace Worcester’s former post office building in Foregate Street with a Tesco Express has received a mixed reaction.

While some traders have welcomed the prospect of having a mini-supermarket store in the building left empty since May, others working close by were so incensed and worried about the future of their businesses that they refused to comment on the subject when asked by your Worcester News.

Yesterday, we revealed how Tesco, Britain’s biggest supermarket chain, had beaten Worcestershire County Council and regional pub chain Après Bar in a bidding war to buy the premises for an undisclosed figure.

Peter Farrall, senior sales assistant at Bridge News, Foregate Street, said he did not think trade in the newsagents would be affected that much, even though the new Tesco Express would be situated directly opposite.

He said: “It is competition to a degree but I think that if you go to a mini supermarket you go there with the intention of buying a few items whereas people come in here for one or two items, quick things in a way – they’re not a dedicated shopper.”

Mr Farrall said he also hoped the addition of Tesco would help smarten up the area and attract more shoppers. He said: “It’s possible Tesco staff might even come across the road and in here.”

Meanwhile, readers have been logging on to worcesternews.co.uk to make their voices heard.

Logik, Worcester, wrote: “That’s all we need, another Tesco store to monopolise Worcester.”

Sweetlilac, worcester, said: “Tesco already has enough stores in Worcester it doesn’t need another one. That building should have been bought by the council to upgrade Foregate Street railway station, it very badly needs it.”

Kenni, Worcester, thought upgrading the station would have cost the council too much money, adding: “Tesco will be great for the forthcoming uni campus. It’s good news.”

The new branch will be the fourth Tesco Express in Worcester. The others are in Warndon, Martley Road and London Road.

Earlier this year city council planners rejected Tesco’s application to build an Express store just half-a-mile along the road from the former post office – at the old Esso garage in Barbourne Road – amid fears about the impact on local shops.

Permission will not be needed to transform the Foregate Street building into a mini-supermarket.

The property was home to Worcester’s main post office for more than 40 years before the Royal Mail Group moved the service into WHSmith’s High Street branch this summer.

Post offices are already classed as retail outlets.