Objectors to Tesco store ‘are not blinkered’

DEAR EDITOR, Rachel Lester’s comment in a recent issue of thame.net contained some interesting points. As stated, the overall sustainability of the town centre as a thriving place for business, and community is of central importance and it can only be maintained through the presence of a wide range of shops, businesses and facilities. However, we reject the claim that local residents and retailers concerned about the effect an out-of-town supermarket will have on our unique town centre are ‘blinkered’ in their views. Furthermore, we refute the claim that an out-of-town superstore could in anyway enhance our town centre.

The assertion that our independent stores aren’t selling goods which compete with supermarkets, and therefore will not be affected is simply not true. What about our butchers, who offer meat from local sources? What about The Book House, who sell paperbacks and children’s books? And what about Glynswood, who sell stationery products and cards? It’s not only independents, other high street multiples would also suffer from the presence of an out-of-town supermarket. Tesco would almost certainly include within its ranges pharmaceuticals and cosmetic products, books and magazines, cookware and household goods, all of which are available from town centre retailers such as Boots, Superdrug, Robert Dyas, and Martin’s. These stores, as well as the independents, will suffer loss of trade, and some will surely question whether they can remain and invest in our town centre.
Crucially, the issues of footfall and opportunity were also overlooked in Ms Lester’s piece. As recognised in the Thame Neighbourhood Plan and by an independent retail survey, our current supermarkets play an important role in drawing shoppers into the town centre. When retail outlets are clustered together, shoppers are able to visit supermarkets, other multiples and independents, all as part of the same trip. Currently the town centre benefits from concentration of footfall, which makes it easy to go to a wide variety of shops, restaurants and businesses. All the retailers and other businesses stand to benefit from this concentration and will all suffer from a reduction in footfall. Conversely, a large out-of-town superstore which is not within easy walking distance of the town will suck business away from the town and if one out-of-town store is allowed others will undoubtedly follow. Unfortunately, this is a familiar story for many small market towns.

Our town centre is far from perfect, and issues such as parking, traffic congestion and business rates need attention. However, our town centre is at the heart of our community and the envy of many visitors who are attracted to it, hence we should work together to support it, address these issues and make it better.

A Thame resident summed the issue up concisely in a letter to another paper last week. He said, the question to be asked is: ‘Do you want an out-of-town supermarket in Thame at the expense of losing our vibrant high street and town centre?’
Many people think not, which is why all five of Thame’s residents’ associations voted to support our campaign along with over thirty of the town’s retailers and businesses. If you also agree, please visit our website, sign our petition or get in touch to offer your support.

Thame Centre First