The Kintyre Forum

The article in today's "Courier" about the proposed new Tesco store at Witchburn was a bit of a surprise in that there was no mention of a filling station that we all possibly assumed would be part of the package. If the article is correct and the building is the quoted "60,000 square feet", then we are going to have an absolute monster of a building in our midst. This is almost 5 times the size of the existing building and to put it in perspective, is 2 Co-op's + 2 Tesco's + a good bit more and 10% larger than the Oban store.

This looks like really bad news for town centre shops but there may be recourse to the Competition Commission with the news that was announced today that:-

A new 'competition test' has been formally recommended by the Competition Commission.


Under the Commission's plans the Office of Fair Trading will advise UK planning authorities on the potential impact of any new development.


The move will be welcomed by small grocery retailers, with many forced out of business by the ambitious expansion of big supermarkets and the impacts of the economic slump.


And the news comes just days after Prince Philip publicly bemoaned the 'way retailing concentrated in big centres and multi-stores' has impacted on village life.


Under the proposed competition test, applicants would only be allowed to build if the retailer was new to the area, or if there were four or more different firms in the market within a 10 minute drive of the proposed site.

At least, the local traders will have the OFT on their side as well as Mrs Windsor's husband.

On page 16 of the "Courier" Public Notices:

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT BY TESCO STORES LTD,
CREAMERY SITE WITCHBURN RD, CAMPBELTOWN

Tesco Stores Limited hereby gives notice of a Pre-Application
Consultation (PAC) to be undertaken in advance of the
submission of a planning application to Argyll & Bute Council
for a prospective development comprising of a class 1
Foodstore, Petrol Filling Station with associated car parking
and access at the Creamery Site, Witchburn Road, Campbeltown

I read that application too. It won't do any harm to have 2 garages in the town. The thing with the new store is that, hopefully, it will have a clothes department. I was in Tesco in Perth. It is massive. I spent hours in it. It had everything from a food store to stationery, bathroom, kitchen (towels, dishes etc) in it. So, in order to stock all that stuff you would need a really big store. The prices were fantastic. I for one will look forward to being able to buy myself clothes in the town. If I'm going for a night out I have to either go up the road or order from a catalogue. Not very convenient.

My Grans in great order as the new tesco will just be over the wall from her house.

Did anyone go to the Open Day about this today? Any thoughts?

Hopefully I'll get a chance and scan the proposed plan on here. It takes up the whole of the creamery site all the way back to Bengullion Road.

I went to the Open Day - it was very informative about the new Tesco plans and Creamery. It seemed to very well attended too.

I spoke to a Tesco rep who gave me a brochure showing what the plans will look like for the proposed Tesco - a much larger store similar to the size of Oban (made in a new ecofriendly way with timber frames etc) offering more variety of foods (I miss the choice I used to get when living in Glasgow so I am happy about this) as well as a clothing department and some electrical goods. It will also have a petrol station - I think the competition is very much needed and could be very convenient. It will also have a large car parking area and their plans are to improve the roads (in particular the big kiln/witchburn road) and widen and improve the pavement for people to walk to and from the town centre.

He also spoke about the increase in employment not only with the new store but with the new creamery which will be part funded with the sale of the tesco site.

Tesco also stated the target market was from North of Tarbert downwards to Campbeltown, therefore, the people who would normally travel up to Oban for their shopping would know maybe come to Campbeltown - which I think may actually bring more trade to the town. Just think of the people who go up to Oban for their shopping. Maybe people will make a day of it and go round the shops in the town too.

The rep also mentioned there would be no 'competition clauses' in the sale of the current Tesco store so other retailers would be able to buy it - may be more of an attractive space for a Lidl, Aldi, Homebase or Argos or whatlike.

I know some people think it may take trade away from the local shops but I personally think most people do most their shopping in Tesco or Coop anyway so nothing really would change. I know some smaller shops can't compete with the prices of Tesco but people will still shop in the smaller retailers if they think they are getting local, quality produce with good service. Sometimes that isn't the case though either.

I think the new Tesco and creamery will be great for the local economy and I hope it goes ahead.

Anybody else think we are destined to have a Tesco Express on the site of the County eventually too? With Tesco lorries making the trip to the town anyway it would seem like a logical step for them.

Esso seem to have a relationship with Tesco already i.e. Lochgilphead and many others I've noticed recently, including my local petrol station have a Tesco express now.

It's pretty clever. Whereas before if I wanted something quickly near my flat I would try to find a space on the street to go to the grocers, now I just pull in to the garage and park. Its small, but its amazing how its seems to have everything you need.

Right across from the Co too. Bearing in mind the big store would close in the area it would maintain competition with the Co in Tesco's eyes.

Edit - just read that back and noticed my use of 'we' in the first line. I suppose you never really leave

I really hope the proposals for the new Tesco get the go ahead. As i've said in a previous post a bigger one will help generate more to the economy of the town than take away. Two petrol stations or a least a 24 hour petrol station is also required.

Is it good for the town?

A store of the proposed size, the same as Oban with a weekly turnover of £800,00 to £1,000,000, would suck the life out the town in my opinion. The turnovers are not including the sale of petrol.

If the present Tesco is turning over between £200,000 to £250,000 a week they will have to more than treble their turnover in such a small isolated area. I can’t see it adding up. Maybe they really want a smaller store but are aiming high to turn around and say ‘ OK we’ll have a 20,000 sq ft store to keep the locals happy, aren’t we great’!

Where is the money going to come from?

Sure the Co-op, they are a big cooperative and will adjust to the new competition.

The County Garage will lose trade as well. As we saw in Lochgilphead the Tesco Filling Station went 5p lower for the first month after opening then reverted to price match the opposition.


But what about all the local traders?

Butchers, fishmongers…….. I could go on (and I will in a later post). As for the extra 200 jobs on top of the 80 odd existing in the present store. Wow!!. Great for the town as those people who used to have their own business can apply for a job in the new Tesco. Thus the new jobs will be a migration of people presently employed or owning their own business. Will the increased management in the new store be local? I would hope to see them come from the existing core employees and not just leaving the locals with the lesser paid jobs.


Anyway, I’m away down the street now to collate my ‘Deal or No Deal’ for the local existing businesses. Should be interesting.

Where’s Noel?

Also went along to see what new Tesco is all about.

Chap from First Milk advised new creamery will not mean increase in jobs and of course the whole lot depends on creamery getting planning permission at Snipefield, Tesco paying Creamery for their present site and Tesco getting planning permission for the creamery site. Or is already a done deal???

Asked chap from Tesco about where all the customers for this new store will coming from - he replied that they track where people shop through clubcard use - people from the town apparently shopping in Greenock, Oban, Port Glasgow etc.
But I don't think for a minute that they're going there to do their weekly/monthly shop - people may well visit Tesco in these areas when they are visiting that area for some other reason and are probably shopping in the Campbeltown store anyway.

If I do a grocery shop out of town it’s not in a Tesco or a Coop. I’ll be in Asda, Safeway, Morrisons or M&S!

I also can’t see why the present creamery site never ‘came’ onto the property market?

Surely if you are selling something you would want the best price and put it on the open market? Ideal site for a new …………School!!!!
Especially when First Milk lost over £7 million 2008/2009. (Also some of the top men have walked this year). Are they delaying the inevitable?

Why don’t Tesco buy the local milk then. Oh, I forgot about the Wiseman.


Also why are the creamery plans not the first to be considered and presented for consultation.


Viewing the Tesco plans it would appear that A&B council is selling off some land to Tesco.

How much for?

Is it a done deal? I think so.

Do any councillors have a farming connection?

Answers on a postcard, subject to strike……………………..

We have a huge Tesco, Sainsburys, Asda, M&S and Waitrose where we live at the moment, but I still prefer to buy my meat and fish from my local suppliers, they know what I like and I like them.

I often buy my bread from the baker and sausage rolls, pasties etc; flowers from the florist and milk from the milkman but I still shop in the supermarket nearly everyday. Lets hope they do Home Delivery!

I have been told that there is a great fishmongers in Campbeltown although I have never tried it but I am looking forward to. The florist in the toon is great and I love all the gifty shops for christmas and birthday pressies. Can't beat Oystercatcher!

Don't knock it until you've tried it, Tesco can work alongside the local community if we all do our bit to support everyone. Cheaper fuel will encourage more tourists too! Just need B&Q, Homebase or Argos!!

There are so many exciting things happening in Kintyre at the moment it is a great time to feel positive about the future! Can't wait!

WTC wrote:
The County Garage will lose trade as well. As we saw in Lochgilphead the Tesco Filling Station went 5p lower for the first month after opening then reverted to price match the opposition.


But what about all the local traders?

Butchers, fishmongers…….. I could go on (and I will in a later post). As for the extra 200 jobs on top of the 80 odd existing in the present store. Wow!!. Great for the town as those people who used to have their own business can apply for a job in the new Tesco. Thus the new jobs will be a migration of people presently employed or owning their own business. Will the increased management in the new store be local? I would hope to see them come from the existing core employees and not just leaving the locals with the lesser paid jobs.

Yes WTC, you are right, the County will probably lose some trade but it's had the monopoly over petrol, an essential commodity in this rural area, for many a years, some competition may do it some good - not just a 'price war' as such but some may choose it for good service, car wash facilities, longer opening hours etc if that is offered. Nevertheless, if it helps attract more people, tourists etc to the town maybe it will actually get used more as they will see the Esso garage before they see Tesco.

In addition, the local traders, most people who do already choose to buy from local traders will continue to do so as they know they are treated well by shopkeepers that know them and give them good quality products. However, I have to be honest and say the competition may do them some good too (or it should try to). Of course again they can't compete with the big guys like Tesco on price but some of them could do with getting out of the dark ages - i.e some shops still close at lunchtimes and then are shut again at 5 (or open and close at different hours so much you never know when they're open) - useless for those working fulltime. Some also still shut Wednesday afternoons - why? Some could just do with a lick of paint. I'm in no way picking on any of the local traders, I'm just highlighting that they could help or improve sales by putting some minor investment in - most are great getting good, friendly, local service with good quality produce but some are charging the high prices but not providing the quality.

I for one am looking forward to the new Tesco and Creamery and hope they both do well. I will also continue to shop in the Town Centre as I have done for years. However, I must add that I have noticed that without the Woolworths store, the town always seems a lot quieter than previously. Maybe an investment in that (and car parking facilities) would help the centre more.

Yeah, too much negativity on this thread.

Tesco can bring many benefits to the toon- and that's without any argument. (24 hour fuel for starters...not to mention all the ingredients I often require and can’t get- either in the existing Tesco or the Coop! fresh coriander being one example- "due in on Monday when the delivery is made"- very good, but today is Saturday and I need it for dinner tonight! should I just wait then???!! )

Whether you choose to use them is up to you. If you feel local fishmongers/butchers/florists/ etc etc will be put out of buisness then continue to support them- in fact, make more effort, (much more)- you'll keep these people in a job. Tesco won't care either way.

I live in Glasgow now (but have been fortunate enough to travel round about the world………and be Born & bred in the toon)- quality suppliers supplying local produce at reasonable price will always be supported (as I’ve seen on my travels). If, as a shopkeeper, your quality is poor/ price is too high/ etc, then you can hardly blame people for going elsewhere, can you? If another (new) independent shop opened in the town, in direct competition to an existing shop, which offered quality/ low price etc, would you complain????? I think not.

I know Tesco have a bigger supply chain and therefore can sell goods cheaper- but in the case of certain products (I’m thinking Fish/ meat/ cheese especially)- Tesco will not be supplying locally caught/ slaughtered/ produced/ produce- if you feel that strongly, go to the places that sell them (I do), regularly, and support them- higher turnover of stock will mean they have a better position when they negotiate price(s) . I have a Sainsburys/ Morrisons/ M&S within 2 mins walk, and an Asda 10 mins drive away. I still go to the independent Butchers for my meat, the Fishmongers for my fish and the grocers for my veg. I don't buy Flowers very often so I don't know where to go for them locally but I could easily find out if I did.

sorry for the long post- I just think Toon people need to be a bit more forward thinking in the long term.
bottom line - if no one shops at Tesco they'll close it/ move to smaller premises. if no one shops at the local Butcher/ Fishmonger etc, they'll close it- will they move?

Vote with your wallet/purse- but stop complaining!

every time I think, or read, about the new Tesco this song comes to my mind Things are bad enough as it is. It cant be stopped though, it is happening all over the world......fast forward 5 years and there could well be no shops on Main St or Longrow.