Tesco plans fourth shop within one square mile in Leicester
A fourth Tesco Express store in a year is to open within a square mile.
The latest, in the former Quay pub in Western Boulevard, Leicester, is to open by the end of the month.
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The former Quay pub is set to become a Tesco shop, in Leicester
A branch next to Leicester railway station, in London Road, opened, last month, another in the Haymarket centre, in August, and one in Granby Street, in April.
Sanjay Chudasama, manager of Big Bite baguette bar, opposite the Quay, said the imminent arrival of Tesco was "a concern" for businesses.
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"We already have a Sainsbury's and a couple of other supermarkets nearby," he said. "I imagine the Tesco will make a difference but we will have to wait and see."
An assistant at Nat's Supermarket, a few yards away on the corner of Mill Lane and Grasmere Street, said Tesco's arrival was "not good for any business around here".
More than 130 people signed a petition against Tesco opening the Granby Street branch last year.
It has now been open nearly 10 months and nearby shopkeepers said they had noticed a difference in trade.
Nilesh Vardoliya, of Premier convenience store, in Granby Street, said: "Sales are less than 50% of what they were last year. They charge silly prices so customers will shop there instead."
An assistant at Zag newsagents, in Granby Street, said: "It's pointless to protest now. We signed a petition when the store was announced and nothing happened."
The Quay had been a pub since 1998. It was a formerly a generator house for a railway goods yard.
Student Grace Hyland, 23, who lives in the city's West End, said: "There's already a Sainsbury's so it seems a bit strange to have a Tesco opposite.
"I think most people around here would have preferred a pub."
Leanda Francis, 27, of Northfields, Leicester, said she used the Tesco stores "a lot".
"I think they're very good to have," she said. "I don't know if we need any more, but they're often cheaper than other places."
Glenda Parish, 75, from Oadby, said: "I like the little Tesco shops. You can pop in for some milk on your way to the bus and it's very handy.
"But I suppose they do take customers from the paper shops and I wouldn't like to see them close."
Plans to convert the Queen of Bradgate pub, in Leicester's High Street, into a Tesco were dropped by the supermarket chain for "confidential commercial reasons".
Further from the city centre, a Tesco Express opened in Saffron Lane, Leicester, in February last year, followed the next month by one in Hinckley Road.
The city council turned down a plan by Tesco to put a store in Humberstone Lane, Rushey Mead, in January last year.
Tesco spokeswoman Melanie Chiswell said: "In a densely populated area, where there are lots of flats, there will be a higher population demanding convenience stores.
"There are many stores. I think a bit of healthy competition in that market helps all to thrive."
Comments
by Reg, Sainsburys - opposite Quay
Friday, February 19 2010, 11:58AM
“I am very worried about my job because Tesco will take us Sainsburrys apart! I may have to apply at Tescos because it is inevitable that they will take over this area. thankyou and god bless.”
by AK, Haringey, London
Thursday, February 18 2010, 3:04PM
“Daniel ¿ Ofsted has no control over energy suppliers as they are the Office for Standards in Education. Not much to do with energy suppliers.
Tesco DOES have to adhere to the Competition Commission as did Microsoft to the American (and European I think) equivalents.
Fact of the matter is that people will go to where they can find what they want for less. Who doesn¿t?”
by Ben Chodinho, Leicester
Thursday, February 18 2010, 2:57PM
“Personally, im against the idea of another Tesco! Some of the goods they sell are far more overpriced then places like ASDA but the main thing that puts me off them, is the fact they don't allow people who come in barefooted!!! C'mon what kind of society do we live in?!!”
by Daniel, Leicester
Thursday, February 18 2010, 2:50PM
“Kulgan, Crydee - and your living in cloud cuckoo land if you think a company like Tesco has to adhere to the Competition Commission ( sort of like how Ofsted has absolutely no control over energy suppliers and prices even though thats what there supposed to be 'wel'l paid for, just doesnt happen. Tescos would swallow them up and spit them out. But this seems to be what everyone wants, the freedom of going to cheaper larger supermarkets until they become the only place you can shop and then watch those prices soar when theres no other choice. I think companies like Tescos are to be very wary of in these times as they will soon own more than can be brought back. also when the smaller businesses are run out of town they will never come back thats the end. I remember I used to go over to my local shop where the owners wife used to hand make the cobs :) best damn cobs ever!! all gone now.”
by theDude, Leicester
Thursday, February 18 2010, 2:46PM
“Do Tesco know that the Quay is a local skate spot . Every time Ive been skating near Tesco there Rent a cops started Bitching !! Cant wait”
by duane, leicester
Thursday, February 18 2010, 2:39PM
“Just so that everybody knows. Nats is part of Nisa, a much larger company. If you put the competition together in that area you have, 2 Nisas (1 of which is Nats), 1 Sainsburys, 1 Tesco and 3 Spars. Which one of them is small? It is leading to much improved competition, which will drive down prices.”
by Alfie Noakes, Leicester
Thursday, February 18 2010, 2:32PM
“Has anybody who bangs on about Tesco's being "cheap" considered what will happen once they've completely abliterated all local competition? When they have the monopoly they simply won't be "cheap" anymore!”
by Kulgan, Crydee
Thursday, February 18 2010, 2:25PM
“Daniel,
That is why there is a Competition Commission (previously known as the Monopoly Commission).
"The Competition Commission is an independent public body which conducts in-depth inquiries into mergers, markets and the regulation of the major regulated industries."
Yes, supermarkets come under their watch.”
by Leicester, Leicester
Thursday, February 18 2010, 2:16PM
“Spot on comment Daniel. I hope it makes people think before they go to buy.”
by Daniel, Leicester
Thursday, February 18 2010, 1:57PM
“I really dont mind if Tescos open another store BUT I would wonder hypothetically what all the people here who dont care about local shops going to the wall etc. would say if in the future Tesco or some other huge market chain takes over every shop and destroys every small business leaving them the monopoly and then they decide to put all their prices right up, with no other choice but to shop there would everyone be then moaning on here about the lack of choice? seems like your all part of a self-fulfilling prophecy! you want Tescos to buy every available empty unit and make a local supermarket out of it NOW but what happens when all you've got to choose from is their products.”