Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman clashes with Tesco over ‘terribly dodgy’ letter

Mar 8 2010 by Barry Gibson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

HUDDERSFIELD’S MP has accused Tesco of being “terribly dodgy”.

Barry Sheerman criticised the retailer after receiving a letter outlining the benefits of a new supermarket in Huddersfield – and offering to fund a charity which he set up.

The Labour MP said: “I think it’s terribly dodgy to send a letter like this.”

Mr Sheerman has been a vocal critic of Tesco’s plan to demolish Huddersfield Sports Centre and the Ibbotson and Lonsbrough flats to make way for a new store on Southgate.

Tesco would knock down its existing store on Viaduct Street and build housing, offices, shops and a hotel. The plans would also see a new sports centre on the site of the Spring Grove car park.

Mr Sheerman opposes the proposal, believing it would take shoppers away from the town centre.

Tesco’s regional corporate affairs manager Jennifer Duncan wrote to Mr Sheerman inviting him to visit the company’s new store in Skipton to see what a new store in Huddersfield might be like.

Ms Duncan goes on to explain that Tesco’s plan for Huddersfield would generate 300 jobs for the town. She wrote: “We believe that this investment poses a great opportunity for your constituents.”

However, the letter goes on to mention a meeting Mr Sheerman had with Tesco corporate affairs manager Michael Kissman. It is believed the meeting was about Greenstreams – Mr Sheerman’s charity to clean up Huddersfield’s waterways.

She wrote: “With regards to the important work you are doing with Greenstreams, I believe Michael explained that the Tesco Charitable Trust Community Scheme provides support of between £1,000 and £4,000 to charitable causes.”