Cardiff retailers have joined with local residents and politicians to vent their anger over Tesco's plans for a Tesco Express store on the city's Birchgrove Road.
Attending a packed public meeting, Tesco corporate affairs director Jon Church faced a barrage of questions over the need for another store in the area. There was also concern over the impact the development would have on local retailers, traffic, road safety and noise in the area.
Tesco does not need planning permission to open on the site which was previously a Majestic Wine outlet, but has applied for permission to make a number of alterations.
The meeting was organised by local retailer Bhoo Patel, owner of The Philog Stores and driving force behind local campaign group the Tesco Action Committee. Bhoo presented Church with 369 letters of protest addressed to Tesco boss Sir Terry Leahy and made an impassioned appeal for Tesco to reconsider its decision to open.
"I urge you to stop this onslaught into local communities because they really do matter," Bhoo told the Tesco representatives. "If this expansion is left unchecked Tesco's image will be tarnished for years."
Church said that Tesco would look closely at the concerns raised and would keep the community informed of its decisions. He added that the company remained keen to open.
Cardiff council is due to discuss Tesco's latest planning submission this week.
Attending a packed public meeting, Tesco corporate affairs director Jon Church faced a barrage of questions over the need for another store in the area. There was also concern over the impact the development would have on local retailers, traffic, road safety and noise in the area.
Tesco does not need planning permission to open on the site which was previously a Majestic Wine outlet, but has applied for permission to make a number of alterations.
The meeting was organised by local retailer Bhoo Patel, owner of The Philog Stores and driving force behind local campaign group the Tesco Action Committee. Bhoo presented Church with 369 letters of protest addressed to Tesco boss Sir Terry Leahy and made an impassioned appeal for Tesco to reconsider its decision to open.
"I urge you to stop this onslaught into local communities because they really do matter," Bhoo told the Tesco representatives. "If this expansion is left unchecked Tesco's image will be tarnished for years."
Church said that Tesco would look closely at the concerns raised and would keep the community informed of its decisions. He added that the company remained keen to open.
Cardiff council is due to discuss Tesco's latest planning submission this week.
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