Dismay at Co-op sell-out (From Gazette Series)

Dismay at Co-op sell-out

CAM parish councillors have accused the Co-op of prostituting themselves and lacking in ethics after the announcement that Tesco had bought the Cam-based supermarket.

As well as showing concern for the future of Dursley, members were dismayed that the Co-op had sold out so readily.

At Wednesday's meeting, chairman Cllr Dennis Andrewartha described the whole situation as depressing and launched a broadside at the Co-op.

"They have prostituted themselves by selling out to the highest bidder," he said.

Cllr Miranda Clifton also slated the Co-op.

She said: "They have known about this at board level since February. This is shabby for a company that says it is ethical and supports Fairtrade."

Long-serving councillor Brian Addle said he was disgusted and added that Tesco's insistence that they would still like to build in Dursley was a "lot of crap".

Cllr John Fowles blamed the Conservative administration at SDC for the problems in Dursley.

He said: "I have been trying for some time to find out what progress was being made and I have to doubt whether they had any real intention of going through with the project."

There was, however, a lesson to be learned from the whole situation, said Cllr Charles Hartley.

"Perhaps all involved in the Dursley project should reflect on the fact that it was not made as an attractive prospect as it could have been," he said.