Protest meeting in fight against Tesco

Jan 13 2009 by David Himelfield, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Protest meeting in fight against Tesco

PROTESTERS say a new Tesco superstore will destroy Huddersfield’s character.

And the proposed supermarket on Southgate will spell disaster for the town’s small businesses, says action group Town First.

Kirklees councillors, business owners and residents joined Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman at Brian Jackson House to discuss ways to fight Tesco’s plans.

The firm plans to build a Tesco Extra hypermarket as part of a multi-million-pound redevelopment scheme.

Town First said a new Tesco will mean the company, which controls over 30% of the UK grocery market, will have undue influence of the regeneration of Huddersfield.

The group says the development will vastly increase traffic on an already congested road.

And although new jobs may be created, Town First says Huddersfield will suffer an overall loss of employment as local businesses fold due to competition.

Mr Sheerman said: “What I love about Huddersfield is its uniqueness. It is not the clone town that everywhere else seems to be moving towards.

“It is not common sense after all the work of persuading small businesses to invest in Huddersfield to then tell customers to go to another part of the town to do their shopping.

“Tesco sucked the life out of the centre of Brighouse.

“People are looking for a unique experience when they shop and that’s what will attract people to a town.