Every Little Helps

Didn’t the public house used to be centre of the local community? What is it now? Is it Tesco Express? When we first moved here there was a pub about a fifth of a mile up the road which, I think, closed a week or so later. Their picnic style tables and chairs were left outside after it had closed and Marianna and I gave a lot of thought to carrying one of them home. Then there was rumour that Tesco wanted to knock the pub down and build a lovely mini Tesco. Some minor protests from local businesses followed. The local planning department, who I have some experience of, tried to outwit Tesco by insisting that whatever happened on that land had to be done within the existing building, which looked an awful lot like a pub. So, Tesco very cleverly adapted the existing building and now it looks just like a Tesco Express. The problem with this is that within a few hundred yards of this new store are several mini-marts, a butcher’s, baker’s, off-licence and numerous other independents who were desperate for Tesco to fail in their bid to move into the area. How will their businesses survive? The store opened a couple of months ago and initially I did my best to boycott it and continue to buy milk from the little general store I’ve been going into for the past year. I still do but have been into Tesco once or twice. I’m weak. What can I say? My point is just that I went into my usual store yesterday morning for milk and the store was a little empty. I’m not sure if there were less customers, less stock on the shelves or if it was the smile and hello from the shopkeeper that was a little emptier. That’s all. I’ve nothing against Tesco and the opportunity to find food, washing machines, weight lifting equipment, children’s toys and DVD’s all under one roof and I don’t mind the way they’ve subtly taken over the entire country. But with these stores in the suburbs there’s a more personal, bullying element to their presence. That’s all.