Rustington rush to oppose Tesco Express

The multinational retailer is opening a Tesco Express convenience store in the former Co-op premises at Sterling Parade, The Street, in June, but its imminent arrival has sparked concerns that small traders could be badly affected, and that a late-night alcohol licence could lead to problems of teen drinking nearby.

However, a spokeswoman for Tesco Express said the new store could well boost trade in the village centre, adding that alcohol sales would be carefully monitored, with anyone looking under 21 asked to show proof of their age.

The petition against the store has been organised by Luke's News, a few doors away from the old Co-op, where a poster in the window urges passers-by: "Don't Let Rustington Die". General manager Neal Ogilvie said: "This Tesco Express will erode trade from other shops in the centre. They sell everything '” papers, greengroceries, meat, bakery items, a bit of everything, and are so aggressive in how they do business.

"Someone has to stop Tesco. At the moment Rustington has a vibrant shopping centre, with two butchers, two greengrocers and bakers, but Tesco could ruin it in a few years' time, when you look at what has happened elsewhere.

"We have been here 40 years and it gets more and more difficult. We have 15 staff here, and 32 paperboys and girls and yes, it would affect us. They would probably take half our lottery sales away."

Anchor for shoppers

Mr Ogilvie said that since the Co-op closed a couple of years ago, the area had been free of problems of youths drinking, but there were concerns that if Tesco was granted a licence for up to 11pm, an hour later than the Co-op's old licence, youths would gather in the grounds of the nearby Methodist church to drink.

Tesco Express spokeswoman Carol Leslie said: "With any change, there is always going to be concern among local traders. We have found in the past that people who used to drive out of an area to go to the supermarket will now shop locally when they have a Tesco Express.

"The new store acts as an anchor and keeps people shopping locally. They use other shops, too, popping into the butcher's and baker's and sometimes trade can pick up for other traders.

"We are not in competition with the butcher's and baker's. We are a convenience store competing with other convenience stores.

"With regard to the alcohol licence, we have a Think 21 policy and anyone who looks under 21 is asked for proof of their age. We won't sell alcohol to youths. If there are youths congregating outside, we will certainly take action, putting CCTV in and we could even employ a security guard if there were real problems.

"We do find, however, that with our customers coming and going, it stops young people gathering outside."

Rustington Parish Council will be discussing the licence application on Monday night and all comments have to be sent to Arun District Council by May 8. Tesco does not need planning permission because of the previous use by the Co-op and, before then, Alldays.

After the Co-op closed, the post office remained in the Sterling Parade premises until moving to All Seasons, Ash Lane, last October.

-----------------------------

Click here to return to Gazette news.

Where are you? Add your pin to the Gazette's international readers' map by clicking here.

E-mail the Gazette: [email protected]