Haddington Tesco move not welcome

11.00.00am GMT Fri 23rd May 2008

Jim Hume, Liberal Democrat MSP for the South of Scotland, will meet with Haddington Business Association members next week to discuss Tesco's plans to relocate away from the town centre.

Jim Hume said, "The concern is that if the Haddington Tesco moves away from the town centre, it will take all the shoppers with it. This could be potentially very damaging to local trade because purely on a convenience basis if people are drawn away from the centre they're unlikely to want to come back and shop at the smaller, independent shops.

"Haddington is traditionally a market town and I believe that that should be a large part of the focus for its future economic development. I want to see a farmers' market or mall set up in the town where people can buy local or seasonal produce alongside the centre Tesco store.

The MSP continued, "The idea would be to have a mall or market that would stock all the day to day goods like washing up liquid, toiletries and other household sundries. This deals with the convenience element in that people can buy fresh, locally produced meat or seasonal fruit and vegetables whilst at the same time also buy the more mundane items all in the one place.

"I'll be speaking to Haddington Business Association next week to canvass their views on that idea and will at the same time be lobbying Tesco hard."