Ashtead Tesco supporters tell of intimidation by opposition campaigners
NEARLY two thirds of businesses near a proposed new Tesco store support the controversial supermarket application, the Advertiser can reveal.
A survey of 74 businesses in The Street, Ashtead, found 46 supported the new store, with 12 against, nine undecided and seven declining to comment.
Many traders told the Advertiser of intimidation by local people who are opposed to the plans, though it was made clear that this was not from members of campaign group Save Ashtead's Village Environment (SAVE).
Jackie Quinn, owner of Jackie Quinn and Co estate agents, said: "One person told me I'd end up with a brick through the window if I said I supported Tesco."
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, May 26 2013
Many business owners asked to remain anonymous when surveyed. One said: "I have had clients come here and say, 'If you come out for Tesco we will boycott the shop,' which is ridiculous.
"If they focused the energy they use stopping the development into the high street it wouldn't be in the condition it currently is."
Another trader said: "A lot of people are scared to speak their mind for fear of being bullied or picked on."
Bryan Elphick, of Elphick Estate Agents, is chairman of Ashtead Village Traders. He said: "The village desperately needs the increased footfall a supermarket will bring.
"Most traders feel that, if only a few of the 6,000 people who signed the original petition actually shopped in the village, this wouldn't be a problem."
Other traders are not convinced. Roger Palmer, who owns Palmer's deli and cafe, said: "They think it is going to be a panacea for the high street but a lot of the trade they generate will be during hours when the majority of shops are closed."
John Bates, who owns Ashtead Fisheries, said: "From a business point of view, Tesco doesn't bother me at all. What I am very concerned about is the effect on parking."
The Advertiser also surveyed businesses in the village's other two shopping areas.
In Barnett Wood Lane, only one business was in favour, with nine against, four undecided and one declined to comment.
In Craddocks Parade, two were in favour, nine against, eight undecided and one declined to comment.
Responding to the Advertiser's findings, SAVE spokeswoman Gillian Russell said: "SAVE obviously totally condemns any aggressive behaviour. We respect that there are different views within Ashtead and we respect all views.
"Our overriding concern is that this proposal is only nine per cent smaller (than the previous one) and our parking analysis, based on Tesco's data, clearly shows parking and congestion would be even worse, due to the total lack of customer parking.
"We have always campaigned for a substantially smaller store with on-site parking."
A Tesco spokesman said: "We are delighted at the positive response from retailers."
If permitted, the new Tesco store would be built at 53-57, The Street.
Comments
by PatrickPS
Tuesday, May 15 2012, 4:00PM
“Most of them seem to be more scared of losing business through being boycotted. How is this in any way agressive? It's merely people making their opinion known and making it clear that they will not spend their money with businesses that support this idea. We alsodon't know the details of the question that they answered 'yes' to either - for all we know they are only in favour of a Tesco store if it's smaller in size than the current proposal.
This is blatently biased reporting and the Leatherhead Advertiser ought to be able to do better than this.
And what the shop owners that support this new store seem to be ignoring is that if the majority of parking is taken up by people shopping in Tescos, then what will be left for those customers wanting to shop in other parts of the high street? Do the shop owners really think that having insufficient parking for their customers is going to help them?
It's also interesting that two of the people who are either complaining of agressive behaviour or support the new Tesco store are estate agents. Who do you think will profit from the sales of the flats built as part of the development?”
by mvmashtead
Tuesday, April 24 2012, 11:41AM
“"If they focused the energy they use trying to stop the development, the high street wouldn't be in the condition that it currently is."
And let's face it, it is a bit of a dump!
Well said that person!”