Supermarkets in Shetland - prices, ethics and experiences

[Marooned in Maywick]

...nothing in the town other than out of date expensive clothes. As for toys - most of them in the town are out of date and far to expensive.

 

Okay...I can just about see how clothes could be described as out-of-date i.e the child has grown out of them whereupon they can be recycled via younger siblings or a charity shop, but toys? Out-of-date toys? How d'you get out-of-date toys?

[JohanofNess]

Okay...I can just about see how clothes could be described as out-of-date i.e the child has grown out of them whereupon they can be recycled via younger siblings or a charity shop, but toys? Out-of-date toys? How d'you get out-of-date toys?

 

It would probably be the toys that are popular at the moment jibjab was referring to. Like when action man was cool again now he isn't and when yo'yos were the dogs danglies and then they weren't. If a kid wants the latest craze in the playground local shops might not be in tune with that so miss out by stocking older lines.

[Malachy]

relating to the tesco extension here, i think they have every right to sell what they want tesco is far cheaper then most shops in town and for once it will be good for people to have the opertunity to shop with lower prices.

 

Well, they only have a right to do it if it's what they applied for under their extension conditions. And I believe the complaint in this instance is that Tesco have been less than honest in their application, presumably because they knew permission wouldn't be granted for what they wanted to do. If that's the case then hopefully the planning board will be brave enough to stand up to them, but I suspect that won't happen. Tesco usually gets what it wants.

 

As has been said here, Tesco is cheaper not because local shops are ripping people off, but because of economies of scale. They can buy hundreds of thousands of electrical items and spread them around their stores, so they will be cheaper than a local shop can ever manage. So people will buy their hoover, washing machine, etc, from Tesco instead of a local eletrical shop. But the problem with that logic is that when you want something a bit more complicated, or you want a part, or you want someone who can tell you what you need when you have a problem with your appliance, there won't be anyone. The local shop will have closed down because they weren't making money any more. So you'll have to buy a new hoover, washing machine etc, and you'll have to buy it from Tesco because there won't be any choice. And then you'll be back on Shetlink moaning about how there's no choice and how the horrible electrical shop owners closed down just to spite you. And the clothes shop owners. And all the other shops on the street. And why won't the council do something about the Street? It looks horrible with all those boards up on the windows.

 

Tesco is a monopoly in waiting.

[oddtablet]

I have not read back through the posts so apologies if this has already been mentioned......

 

Why is the existing roof on Tesco's and the new extension roof not at the same height ?

 

I would have thought that would be kind of basic...!!

[HN38]

relating to the tesco extension here, i think they have every right to sell what they want tesco is far cheaper then most shops in town and for once it will be good for people to have the opertunity to shop with lower prices.

 

Well, they only have a right to do it if it's what they applied for under their extension conditions. And I believe the complaint in this instance is that Tesco have been less than honest in their application, presumably because they knew permission wouldn't be granted for what they wanted to do. If that's the case then hopefully the planning board will be brave enough to stand up to them, but I suspect that won't happen. Tesco usually gets what it wants.

 

As has been said here, Tesco is cheaper not because local shops are ripping people off, but because of economies of scale. They can buy hundreds of thousands of electrical items and spread them around their stores, so they will be cheaper than a local shop can ever manage. So people will buy their hoover, washing machine, etc, from Tesco instead of a local eletrical shop. But the problem with that logic is that when you want something a bit more complicated, or you want a part, or you want someone who can tell you what you need when you have a problem with your appliance, there won't be anyone. The local shop will have closed down because they weren't making money any more. So you'll have to buy a new hoover, washing machine etc, and you'll have to buy it from Tesco because there won't be any choice. And then you'll be back on Shetlink moaning about how there's no choice and how the horrible electrical shop owners closed down just to spite you. And the clothes shop owners. And all the other shops on the street. And why won't the council do something about the Street? It looks horrible with all those boards up on the windows.

 

Tesco is a monopoly in waiting.

 

of course they should only sell what they apply for but does anyone really know what they have applied for, same as any shop though.

 

lower income familys or people with kids though that cant afford to buy dearer alternatives will find shops like tesco selling cheaper items a god send. as it is though a lot of people who order say larger items do it through internet or catalouges anyway as they are cheaper so i dont think tesco is really going to make to much of an impact to local shops. not everyone can afford a 300 odd quid say washing machine when they can get same one for less. i just think to much is focused on tesco

[JustMe]

If the planners attempt to take any sort of action against Tesco for breach of planning consent the company will quite justifiably claim that they are intending to sell what their customers want them to sell and also claim that it is unjust for the Co-op as their main competitor within Lerwick to be able to sell things that Tesco is not allowed to sell. And of course Tesco will follow whatever the appeal system is for planning consent right up to the highest level. Then they will win.

 

Meanwhile the council will have wasted money better spent on teaching boys to knit and the moaning shopkeepers on the street will still be there and will still be moaning.

[lerwick]

If some of the town shops have to close because people have voted with their feet perhaps our local planning department could allow change of use to much needed residential use ?

[crofter]

 

 

of course they should only sell what they apply for but does anyone really know what they have applied for,

 

You can read it yourself here:

 

http://www.shetland.gov.uk/planningcontrol/apps/pdfs/default.asp?filter=2008_246_PCD

 

The increase in floorspace will be for the sale of convenience goods only

[crofter]

Then they will win.

 

 

Why?

[JustMe]

Then they will win.

 

 

Why?

Because they are Tesco and are very experienced in beating little councils planning rules.

[Malachy]

it is unjust for the Co-op as their main competitor within Lerwick to be able to sell things that Tesco is not allowed to sell.

I'm not aware of the co-op selling white goods or clothes.

[JustMe]

The Co-op certainly has sold fridges and washing machines in the past. Probably not clothes though.

[Ghostrider]

If the planners attempt to take any sort of action against Tesco for breach of planning consent the company will quite justifiably claim that they are intending to sell what their customers want them to sell....

 

No doubt most charged with "drug dealing" would use the same argument, if they thought it might help. Likewise, I'm sure I could find customers in Shetland who would want me to sell what was on offer if I opened a casino, strip club or brothel, but I'm reasonably sure I wouldn't get planning permission for any of the three, and if I applied to open a pub but actually opened it as any of the three, I'm also pretty sure a council hit squad would be pulling out all the stops to close it and keep it closed.

 

If the council planning department are not capable of preparing a robust case, and fighting and winning it, where there is a clear cut situation of what is approved is not what is ultimately created, regardless of the size or clout of who does it. Its the planning staff who need replacing, as they're neither competent or able for the position.

[JustMe]

^^But this is simply wanting a branch of Tesco to sell what other branches of Tesco sell and about the people of Shetland being potentially denied this by a council prepared to listen to some shopkeepers who may very well not be hurt by the extension in any event.

 

As for a casino or a strip club I would be quite prepared to chastise the council if the planners turned down an application to open one of these in a suitable location should the person planning such an enterprise prove that there was demand locally for either or both.

[crofter]

^^But this is simply wanting a branch of Tesco to sell what other branches of Tesco sell and about the people of Shetland being potentially denied this by a council prepared to listen to some shopkeepers who may very well not be hurt by the extension in any event.

 

 

My view is that if Tesco wanted to sell the stuff which their other stores sell in their Lerwick branch, they should have included this in their planning application. I hope that Iain McDiarmid enforces the conditions under which planning permission was granted.

 

Head of planning Iain McDiarmid said later that nothing could be done before the extension breached any planning agreements. He said: “We understand the concerns of LTCA and expect any developer to stick to what they applied for and had permission for. We will be keeping an eye on what’s happening, our building standards people are there on a daily basis.â€