Tesco is coming to town (From Gazette Series)

Tesco is coming to town

TESCO is coming to Wotton-under-Edge - with a welcome.

A planning application has gone to Stroud District Council for new signs and a cash-dispenser at the One Stop Shop in Long Street. Wotton Town Council will consider the plan on January 26.

It is unlikely to approve signs out of keeping with the historic area but a cash-dispenser would not encounter opposition experienced in connection with a NatWest application a few years ago as 28 Long Street is not a listed building.

Tesco took over the company that runs One Stop Shops and Dillons 18 months ago.

There are more than 800 in the UK and Tesco plans to convert 450 to Tesco Express stores.

Spokeswoman Carol Leslie said: "These conversions will happen within three or four years. We are in the first year of the plan, at the moment."

Conversion of the Wotton shop is "under review", with a decision in the near future.

The spokeswoman said: "Tesco Express stores stock all the usual goods associated with a convenience store, such as fruit and vegetables, bread and groceries. There won't be a delicatessen counter but some delicatessen items will be for sale. There is a smaller range of sweets, newspapers and wines and spirits than in the One Stop Shops."

The future of the post office within the store seems to be safe. A spokesman said: "As far as we know, post offices established in One Stop Shops will remain there, even if there are other changes."

Cllr Gareth Kitchen, chairman of Wotton Traders, said: "If Tesco Express opens, I would see it as a positive step for Wotton traders.

"The shopping survey done in 2002 showed 600 journeys made every weekend out of Wotton and there has been a 20 per cent reduction in people shopping locally in the last two or three years.

"Hopefully, additional choice in Wotton would attract more people to stay and shop in the town, thereby benefiting the other shops as well.

"I'm sure many people have noticed the Tesco delivery vans in the town so people obviously want Tesco food.

"The only problem, of course, is still the shortage of parking. But all the new initiatives, like the farmers' market and the new greengrocer's, will surely mean the net result is good."

Nick Wadey, of Harvest Store, the greengrocery opening on January 22, said: "Obviously I don't want too much competition but I've had so much support from the town I hope I'll enjoy customer loyalty.

"One great attraction for local people seems to be the return of Polly Pyatt to the greengrocery business - she certainly knows how it all works. She'll be here two days a week.

"I'm also intending to do personal deliveries for the residential homes for the elderly in Wotton-under-Edge."

Martin Coleman, of Amphora, the delicatessen in the High Street, said: "If Tesco Express does open here, it might give the message to people that Wotton is going up in the world - it would be good to have that investment in the town. Tesco has a good reputation, encouraging customer care."

Julian Jauncey, manager of Wotton Co-op supermarket, said: "If Tesco joins the area as a community store, aware of the needs of the community, that will be fine. The Co-op believes we have a good relationship with the other traders in Wotton-under_Edge.

Although we stock some goods sold in other shops, we do not push those - they're just available if customers want them. There's only room for so many shops - we don't want to see anyone go out of business."