Amess calls for inquiry into supermarket dominance
By Rachel Charman
Southend West Conservative MP David Amess has called on the Government to investigate the dominance of supermarket chains and their effect on small businesses.
Mr Amess, who is chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Small Shops Group, said:
“The Government should judge if it’s having an adverse effect, and if they agree there should be some balance they should intervene.
“At the moment if a local authority knocks back a supermarket chain, it simply throws more cash at the application, pulls in the best lawyers and wins on appeal.”
Mr Amess’ comments came after a report was released by CACI, a consultancy specialising in locations.
This report claims that 42% of UK towns are within a 10 minute drive of five or more supermarkets, and in some cases, more than one of those five is owned by the same retailer.
In Southend and Westcliff, there are five Tesco or Tesco Metro stores, on Prince Avenue, London Road, Hamlet Court Road, High Street, and at the Kursaal.
If David Amess is really worried about the glut of supermarkets perhaps he should have a word with his friends on Southend Council. They are the ones who have pushed through new stores, Metro and Express included, against considerable public opposition. Just like the new football stadium, Priory Park and Cuckoo Corner…….