Monday, February 05, 2007

Tesco takes over the World

You may or may not have heard that Tesco is planning on taking over an entire Scottish Town. Or at least its town centre to be more exact. Normally I would have viewed this as yet another shocking example of the large supermarkets' ongoing damage to local shops, fair competition and producers. However this case is somewhat different.
Linwood (the town in question) has been beset with numerous problems in the past, starting with the failure of the Linwood Car Plant and leading now to a heavily vandalised and largely derelict town centre. The plans (in a deal led by local MSP Wendy Alexander) are reported to involve a new library, health centre, community centre and offices as well as the ubiquitous Tesco Supermarket. It is hoped that 300 well needed jobs for local people will also be created. It is also hoped that new housing and inward investment will be added knock on effects.
Added to this, local people are on the whole happy with the proposals, hoping that a very real positive change will come about for the town centre and Linwood as a whole.
Of course Tesco's plans are not entirely altruistic but let's hope that something positive can come out of the plans of one of the major players in the supermarket game.

6 comments:

E.Louise said...

I wanted to say that Cadbury built a whole town didn't they? But then Cadbury are warm and fluffy, and Tesco are not.

Gwen said...

Emma

Thanks for your comment. Cadbury are certainly a bit more warm and fluffy than Tesco - and the chocolate sure tastes better!!

Bright Ambassador said...

I work for a company that supplies Tesco and I can say - from an insider's perspective - that they really are gits. But, as you say, they are putting something into the infrastructure of this town, which can only be a good thing.

Nice blog, keep up the good work!

Gwen said...

Rich

Thanks for your comments. It's interesting to get an 'insiders' view. I think most big businesses have a git tendancy don't you think.

Cheers

Gwen

Bright Ambassador said...

I think, to be succesful in business, you have to have a 'git tendancy'. Even the more 'cuddly' business sucesses like Apple Computer, Virgin and Ben and Jerrys have 'gitishness' built in to their 'business model'.

Gwen said...

Rich

I think you are definitely right. And this git tendancy I tend to think also extends to people in power - ie politicians and the like. No doubt that is why this country along with many others is in the state it is in.

The company you work for however is doing well if it can keep up with 'the big boys' like Tesco. Long may this continue.

Cheers

Gwen