Holderness Road traders fear for the future as Tesco eyes up site for supermarket
A Family butcher has hit out at plans for a Tesco supermarket yards from his east Hull shop.
As reported in yesterday's Mail, the retail giant is understood to be interested in land opposite its arch rival Asda on Mount Pleasant, off Holderness Road.
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Butcher Phil Jefcott outside his shop in Holderness Road, east Hull
Some say another supermarket will act as a double blow to already difficult trading conditions.
Phil Jefcott has been helping manage Jefcott Butchers – a family business – for 20 years.
The 58-year-old said: "Trade isn't what it used to be in this road since Asda opened in October 2006.
"We provide quality cuts of meat and good service, but sometimes people just go for the cheaper stuff.
"I don't think if we tried to oppose the scheme it would make any difference.
"We have been in Holderness Road for 17 years and we still get passing trade, but since the supermarket came along it has definitely fallen."
Lee Hope, the manager of Fresh Fruit and Flower Market, agreed.
He said: "I think another supermarket would be bad for business and take customers away.
"When Asda started up it took some of our trade away.
"Whether Tesco will kill us off completely, I don't know.
"It is easier for supermarkets as they have everything under one roof."
However, some believe Tesco will result in spin-off trade.
Neelam Javed, a sales assistant at her family's clothing business, Stylish, said: "Tesco and Asda don't sell the type of clothes we do, so I don't think we will be worried.
"I think if people come to visit the supermarket they might walk down towards our shop too."
Umer Muhammed, the manager of card shop Love From, agreed.
He said: "That end of Holderness Road is dying so maybe it will help pick it up.
"I don't mind it being there. People go to supermarkets for food mainly, they will still come to shops like ours for specialist things."
Developer Dransfield Properties Ltd, acting for Tesco, has submitted an outline planning proposal for the site to Hull City Council.
It includes permission to build a supermarket, a petrol station, 600 car parking spaces, smaller retail units and a piece of public artwork.
24 Comments
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by Hull, Hull
Sunday, July 25 2010, 7:33PM
“The thing with these small independent shop owners is half the time the service they provide is crap. I know when I go into an independent butchers on Newland Avenue I have to ask the butcher to put all my meat into a bag, instead of him leaving it for me to do! Really though, half the time these small shop owners don't know the meaning of quality service.”
by Raymond, The Dukeries
Sunday, July 25 2010, 1:49PM
“Holderness Road deserves a massive Netto extra instead. More suitable to the clientele and this would silence the whingers”
by San Diego Tiger, Sunny SoCal
Sunday, July 25 2010, 10:51AM
“Those who oppose the Tesco, who live in the area, should not simply give up. Sure, you MAY lose if you fight - but you WILL lose if you don't!
In the US, there have been several successful attempts to Say No to Walmart - Google that phrase and look at the towns that succesfully stopped it ..... all done by the people, not local government. Sure the laws may be different here, but they are fundamentally the same.
Don't give up without trying - you will likely regret it!”
by Quill Bill, T' Humber
Sunday, July 25 2010, 10:35AM
“Tesco bashers we've heard just about enough now - you come up with the same old winge every time a multi national operator wishes to open a new store. Thankfully we live in a free market economy where choice is king - we have every right to choose just who we spend our hard earned cash with.
The focus should be brought on the independant trader who in many cases believes they can operate their business under the same model as they did in the 70's. Wrong. The game has moved on - drastically.
Just look how the small deli's on Princes Ave and Hessle flourish by offering quality, choice and service - this is the key. If every independent business owner just spent few days looking at their business through the eyes of the public, how many can honestly say that they've changed over the decades to counter the Supermarket onslaught ? Very few I believe.”
by Who cares?, shoebox
Sunday, July 25 2010, 8:06AM
“I quote "Neelam Javed, a sales assistant at her family's clothing business, Stylish, said: "Tesco and Asda don't sell the type of clothes we do, so I don't think we will be worried." Well thats ok then, Just think about yourself.”