"Tesco won't hurt Tolworth businesses'

7:00am Monday 6th August 2012 in News By Tom Barnes

Matt Magee said Tolworth Broadway was struggling Matt Magee said Tolworth Broadway was struggling

The Tesco development in Tolworth will not put small traders on the Broadway out of business, according to Matt Magee, the man with the job of convincing residents and traders to back the superstore’s new proposal to build on the old Toby Jug site.

Traders in direct competition with Tesco, such as the Best Food mini-market, fear being swallowed up by the supermarket chain, a claim denied by the corporate affairs manager who thinks the plans will boost trade.

Speaking from his offices in the heart of London, 14 miles from where his employers are hoping to build 35,000sq ft of multipurpose development, he said: “The sad truth is people are not shopping in Tolworth, which is why shops on the Broadway are struggling.

“After listening to concerns from businesses and residents the development is scaled down, which means it will be almost entirely a food supermarket.

“People will be able to come to Tolworth, park for free and, as well as doing their weekly food shop, explore the other shops in the area.

“This will make Tolworth a more desirable place to shop and encourage investment.”

Responding to claims from Kingston and Surbiton MP Edward Davey that the site would add to traffic congestion around the A3 roundabout and along the Broadway, he said the proposal would not lead to gridlock.

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He said: “Purely from an economic point of view we would not be investing in an area where traffic would prevent people from wanting to shop.

“We cannot operate a store where no one will come.”

Mr Magee also promised the 250 jobs that will be created at the site, which will include a gym and hotel, will go to residents from Tolworth and the surrounding area.

He said: “We are in a time of recession, yet Tesco wants to invest in Tolworth – there will be new jobs, new homes, new facilities and a great place to shop for the people of Tolworth.

"“We have worked hard to make this the best possible development for everyone in the area and are confident we have got the right scheme.”

Comments(19)

Prince Philip of Greece says...
10:17am Mon 6 Aug 12

"Surprise in Tolworth as Tesco trot out their London PR man with nothing new or believable to say".

Kingston does not need ANOTHER Tesco, and Tolworth Broadway does need yet MORE traffic congestion.

http://www.tescopoly
.org/

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fedup58 says...
3:36pm Mon 6 Aug 12

The PR Chap can say what he likes but a super store always has a dramatic inpact pn an area. Its opening hours, constant noise, lights on all night in the car park, illuminated signs and deliveries. Is this Tesco not going to undercut the high street shops prices. There are enough Tesco stores in the area, another one would be over kill. The A3 is always heavily congested at the proposed location, this would only add to the air pollution and cause the houses on the A3 frustration and distress. Why do residents need a hotel and the gym OK for those who can afford it. 250 jobs to local people, I doubt it. There is no plus side to this proposal.

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JJJJJJ says...
6:02pm Mon 6 Aug 12

Tolworth needs Tesco, it's dying at the moment.

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Janetirismary says...
8:07am Tue 7 Aug 12

I think Tolworth needs something to get people to shop there and Tesco sounds reasonable. I think local businesses will see more trade not less. At the moment, Tolworth is just one big road and lotsof passing through traffic. Sadly, not much else!

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marcofoo says...
8:44am Tue 7 Aug 12

Tesco should be welcomed by local residents. M&S (overpriced) and Iceland (poor quality) are no good. The only viable alternatives for a weekly shop are Tesco (A3), Asda (A3), Waitrose (Surbiton) or Sainsburys (Surbiton). All of which require more mileage and create more traffic. Traffic is a red herring here.

Admittedly I see no need for a hotel but a gym would be most welcome. How about a decent bar or pub?

If Tolworth Tower could now be put to good use, this town could end up being quite an attraction.

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Prince Philip of Greece says...
9:11am Tue 7 Aug 12

We need to be very wary of (previously unknown) contributors springing up on here in defence of Tesco.

Tesco employ huge numbers of lobbyists and PR firms to argue their case. Here's a selection:


Dec 2011 - Feb 2012

APCO Worldwide provided UK public affairs consultancy services
Green Issues Communique provided UK public affairs consultancy services
Lexington Communications provided UK public affairs consultancy services
MHP Communications provided UK public affairs consultancy services
MRPA (Martin Robeson Public Affairs) provided UK public affairs consultancy services
Portland provided UK public affairs consultancy services
Quiller Consultants provided UK public affairs consultancy services
The Whitehouse Consultancy Ltd provided UK public affairs consultancy services

Jun 2011 - Aug 2011

Four Communications provided UK public affairs consultancy services
Green Issues Communique provided UK public affairs consultancy services
Lexington Communications provided UK public affairs consultancy services
MHP Communications provided UK public affairs consultancy services
MRPA (Martin Robeson Public Affairs) provided UK public affairs consultancy services
Portland provided UK public affairs consultancy services
The Whitehouse Consultancy Ltd provided UK public affairs consultancy services
London Communications Agency provided UK public affairs consultancy services
Portland Communications provided UK public affairs consultancy services

Sep 2010 - Nov 2010

Green Issues Communications Ltd provided UK public affairs consultancy services
Lexington Communications provided UK public affairs consultancy services
MHP Communications provided UK public affairs consultancy services
MRPA (Martin Robeson Public Affairs) provided UK public affairs consultancy services
Portland Communications provided UK public affairs consultancy services
Quiller Consultants provided UK public affairs consultancy services

Don't believe Tesco's PR machine - believe your own common sense.

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Prince Philip of Greece says...
9:13am Tue 7 Aug 12

Sorry, forgot to add a source for the above: http://whoslobbying.
com/uk/tesco

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Prince Philip of Greece says...
9:15am Tue 7 Aug 12

Why is Ed Davey so quiet on the issue this time around?

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DB says...
9:30am Tue 7 Aug 12

marcofoo wrote:
Tesco should be welcomed by local residents. M&S (overpriced) and Iceland (poor quality) are no good. The only viable alternatives for a weekly shop are Tesco (A3), Asda (A3), Waitrose (Surbiton) or Sainsburys (Surbiton). All of which require more mileage and create more traffic. Traffic is a red herring here. Admittedly I see no need for a hotel but a gym would be most welcome. How about a decent bar or pub? If Tolworth Tower could now be put to good use, this town could end up being quite an attraction.
I don't think that traffic is a red herring in this case. Don't forget that Tesco are not building a massive superstore just for the use of Tolworth residents, they are looking to capture a share of a much wider market.

It will be an advantage to Tolworth residents to be able to shop locally rather than trekking to Surbiton etc, but overall traffic levels will increase as people drive to the site FROM Surbiton, Thames Ditton, Esher etc.

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DB says...
10:02am Tue 7 Aug 12

I think that the Tesco spiel about 'not hurting Tolworth' is disingenuous at best.

The spin seems to be that they will build a food only store that attracts shoppers to Tolworth who will then take a nice walk down the Broadway to buy all of their clothes, hardware and satisfy their entertainment needs.

The main problem with this is that the type of people who go to these large Tesco stores do so because they want a 'one-stop-shop' experience rather than having to walk around a traditional high street.

The second problem is that the Broadway is too far away anyway - it must be a good 10 minute walk to the shops around the Esso garage from the proposed site.

The third problem is that there are not many suitable businesses on the Broadway for Tesco to 'help' in this way anyway and I don't think that the extra footfall is going to attract new shops for the reasons above.

A food only store would not suit Tesco or Tolworth, and if it is built, I bet it would only be a matter of time before it is changed into the same type of double-storey, one-stop-shop as the one in New Malden.

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Prince Philip of Greece says...
10:13am Tue 7 Aug 12

The traffic argument is the killer.

The A3 is ALREADY the most polluted non-motorway road in Britain and ALREADY fails to meet European pollution standards.

A new Tescopoly would see dozens more lorries at Tolworth roundabout every day.

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fedup58 says...
10:22am Tue 7 Aug 12

Tesco would become Tolworth and destroy the Broadway local traders would be forced out. The resisdents whose properties adjoin or are in close proximity would find the value of their houses decrease rapidly. Those who would like Tesco's do not want to live next to it. I cannot think of any Superstore anywhere that has enhanced an area.

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kingstonpaul says...
2:18pm Tue 7 Aug 12

The Tesco strategy is all about stopping its competitors getting hold of decent sites. They are seriously worried about the growth of Morrisons and are doing anything to stop Morrisons getting hold of plumb sites. Tesco has become far too ubiquitous - not only does it dominate the large supermarket market, but it's dominating the corner store market with its smaller Metro and Express stores. Kingston Council should be encouraging competition and choice, and be encouraging a new retailer to that site.
As for the Broadway, it's parking controls that have have killed it off. As they have in many other neighbourhood retail streets. When will local councils learn that the whole nature of local shopping is impulsive and typically of a failry low value. If you charge people two quid to park outside a shop where they plan to spend a fiver, you don't need to be an Einstein to see what the outcome will be.

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tolworthman says...
3:09pm Tue 7 Aug 12

I wish this small minority complaining all over the web would stop trying to speak for a community
As I said before
"I live right off the broadway and want Tesco to build! Tolworth needs a decent supermarket, and don't tell me there are to many Tesco's as Sainbury's dominates the area. I'm sure the broadways shops will survive, there customers walk there and are a different clientele to large a supermarkets drivers. The Tesco/Esso petrol station is constant chaos and proves that we need a better larger supermarket"

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tolworthman says...
3:11pm Tue 7 Aug 12

Also if you are worried about traffic - real locals are able to avoid it.........

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Luckyphi11 says...
3:20pm Tue 7 Aug 12

Where do the residents of Tolworth shop? If they are against Tesco's hopefully they use their local shops on the Broadway and not drive to one of the local superstores!

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fedup58 says...
3:26pm Tue 7 Aug 12

I am sure they do drive to the superstores and they would also drive to a local Tesco's causing further chaos to the already congested traffic system. If you live off the Broadway you are far away not to be affected by the horrendous enviromental effect these places can have on adjoining residents. It won't matter what the people want at the end of the day it will be how much Tesco's give back to the council in Social Housing etc. Nobody else matters these days.

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JJJJJJ says...
6:28pm Tue 7 Aug 12

Who cares about Tesco's PR machine? I have lived in the Tolworth area since 1989 and from a local resident's point of view would love to be able to walk to get my shopping. If it brings people to Tolworth surely it's a good thing.

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Beverly RA says...
7:43pm Wed 8 Aug 12

Like King Canute some residents think that they can hold the tide back, yet are quite happy to travel to New Malden to shop, and pay the cost in fuel to save a few shillings.
This is a good compromise giving both much needed family housing and affordable homes that our youngsters so desperately need.. Comparing it to the first application Tescos have moved allot closer to the wishes of the majority of residents, but there will always be the not over my dead body lobby who only talk for themselves.

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