Backing the Underdog

Tesco are without doubt one of the UK's most impressive companies. Since the late 90's they have grown massively, starting with their implementation of 'extra' stores which seem to sell almost everything, then moving into local market with their 'metro' stores and more recently they are challenging the likes of Argos with their own catalogue offering.

Near Cardiff in South Wales is a village called Dinas Powys and about 3 miles away from Dinas is a large Tesco superstore in Penarth. It is the main supermarket serving the area and as far as we are aware, is always very busy - in fairness it is a very good store in a handy location for the Vale and even Cardiff Bay.

Dinas Powys has a population of around 9,000 but has a definite village 'feel' to it, mostly because it is served mostly by amenities in the surrounding towns of Penarth and Barry, with access to the city of Cardiff - but also due to the village green, or Twyn as it is locally known.

Valey View Fruit Stores, serving Dinas Powys with distinction

Within Dinas Powys is a local grocers' shop, Valley View Fruit Stores, owned by Tony and Janice Mapstone. The Mapstones have owned the shop for over 15 years and happily serve the local people with fresh fruit and vegetables, tinned goods and other groceries - as well as flowers, plants, pet food and accessories.  Only two doors down is a small Spar convenience store which trades symbiotically with the Mapstones' grocery offerings, but at the other end of the block is a large dilapidated public house of which Tesco are now the proud owners.

There is little or nothing that a local Tesco store has to offer that is not already available at Valley View Fruit Stores or the local Spar, both of which are within 100 yards of the proposed store. It begs the question, why were Tesco given permission to open such a store on this street? And what are Tesco trying to achieve by moving into the area? It's not like they don't already have a local presence, or even that they need the business. It seems that their presence will impact negatively on two businesses, owned by local people, that have served the local area successfully for years; without even bringing a discernible benefit to the local people.

Norman Environmental are not against company expansion or growth, far from it. On the other hand we firmly believe that to help the country out of recession small businesses need to be protected from the might of supermarket giants. There will be follow up blogs as the story unfolds, but we're rooting for the 'little guy'.

What do you think of the common practice of large supermarkets moving in on the territory of traditional 'local' shops? Is it the cut and thrust of fair business competition? Or should local council and government protect their constituents from big business? Let us know what you think.

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