Post sent to page from Dave Delaney. Can I play devils advocate here? I fully support bringing employment to the town, but having seen first hand what power big box retailers like Tesco have, the cards need to be played right by the lobbyists and local authorities for positive change and growth in the town. Can I maybe just point out a few things like - a) Tesco have money, local authorities have tight and restricted budgets. Planning conditions for large stores often include the completion of roads, contributions to local amenities etc. which is great. The promise of employment is way down on the list of what they promise to bring. They will promise 300 jobs...count them one year later, its likely to be significantly less and on minimum statutory entitlements- Google Zero hour contract b) Tesco have EVERYTHING. Why would the local consumer bother to go into the town centre when they can get: Groceries Clothing Electrical Goods Magazines DVDS & CDS Wines & Beers Phones Butcher Counter Fishmonger Pharmaceutical needs (including prescriptions) Opticians etc Under one roof C) ALDI in fairness engage more Irish suppliers than some of the native irish retailers D) I could go on..... (Id like any respondents to my comment to be honest and say that they will be 100% honest if they would continue to purchase from existing local businesses that have no choice but to charge more, regardless of your perception of their service and mean that you will have to park in the square and walk from one end of the town to the other - guilty as charged, the glasses on my face were €15 including lenses and test from TESCO. The small businesses on Leinster St and beyond will suffer...they all provide goods or services from the above list Which brings me to the fact that I have lived in a Tescopoly town - Portlaoise and did for some years since I moved from Athy a few years ago. Youll all fondly remember the big blue bridge that eventually became an eyesore. It was part of the conditions of the expansion of the Shopping Centre that it be removed. Tesco Portlaoise is the second largest in Ireland...since its expansion shops have slowly begun to disappear from the main street (where parking costs money, Shopping centre is free) but add the recent economic climate to the mix and the closure rate has escalated. Those of you who have no choice but to shop in Carlow probably note the same about Tullow St. ...Tullamore is the same....all fast becoming clone towns of High St. UK. ie...all the retail parks are the same. I now live near Portarlington - home to an ALDI and LIDL but devoid of TESCO - Main st in Port is thriving under the current climate and there appears to be harmony between the bigger retailers and local businesses. Yes, People pay for parking, but they get social interaction, real, tangible offers and proper loyalty discounts. Not one shopkeeper says to the elderly lady who comes into town one day a week (for fresh bread and a visit to the butcher) that she ‘has placed an unwanted item in the bagging area’ …for the record, Portlaoise and Portarlington used to have all the businesses listed in point b) above – Portarlington still has all of them, with no big big box retailer Ill admit I dont have a solution to the problem that Athy faces, just like the rest of you, but Id ask you to strongly consider the long-term effects of inviting big big business into a small heritage town without knowing the true long term economic costs. Its going to be very hard to undo the long term damage that Tesco amongst other big retailers have caused in this country, because yes, Jobs, value for money etc are all vital to each and every one of us. Athy has potential to remain untouched by corporate greed whilst still creating jobs and stimulating local economies. Encourage and incentivise existing businesses to expand. Invite new businesses in....Business goes where it is invited. Instead of choking the town with short term relief/long term problem...lobby Kildare Co Co to reduce rates. Try out that business idea you always wanted to do...in a pop up. Feedback is welcome on my post, but Id appreciate it be kept civil, meaningful and relevant. We are all after one thing and that is positive growth and change for Baile Átha Í. I look forward to your comments Ps ...tescopoly.org is worth a look and yes, I shop in Tesco, Aldi, Lidl and Supervalu…as well as my locals when I can Home | Tescopoly tescopoly.org
Posted on: Fri, 11 Jul 2014 12:24:53 +0000
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