Supermarkets are so convenient

CORNER shops the length and breadth of the country are closing their doors for good, as many fall victim to the credit crunch.

Supermarkets have long been a thorn in the side for corner shops. But staunch supporters who continued to buy locally helped the independents to remain open. Reporter Marina Berry asked Oldham shoppers for their views.

MARGARET Tindale said she shops at big supermarkets for heavy items and the basics for her home in Chadderton.

But she makes it a rule to buy fresh fruit and vegetables, which she says are much better than the pre-packed varieties on offer in the big stores.

The 85-year-old is a regular at both Oldham and Bury markets, where she picks up fresh produce, and uses the corner shop near her home for emergencies only.

She said: “I think it’s very sad that little shops are going. I remember when there was a butchers, a wet fish shop and a greengrocers all together in Chadderton.

“It was a community, but all that’s gone now and it’s a shame. I used to go shopping and knew everybody, but now I don’t know anyone.”

Glenis Wakefield, who also lives in Chadderton, splits her shopping between two of the main supermarkets.

She said: “I have no transport and I only live round the corner from Asda so that’s my local shop really.

“I have to go out of my way to get to other shops, but I have a bus pass and go into Oldham to get vegetables from Aldi where they are cheaper.”

She added, however: “If there was a proper butchers shop I would get my meat from there, even if it was a bit dearer.”

Supermarkets are also the main place for shopping for Shaw’s Dorothy Prince.

She described Buckstones Road, near her home, as a no-man’s land with no sense of community, due to a lack of local shops.

“They have all gone because they weren’t getting any customers and there’s nothing there now,” she said.

“I go to Asda in Shaw for my shopping because it’s handy.”

Evelyn Rowland said: “I must admit I nearly always shop at the supermarket.

“The sad thing is it’s because they have cut the prices of things so much it has made the corner shops seem dear and they don’t stand a chance. It’s a shame.

“I feel sorry for the corner shops and I would like to help them, but things are so tight I have to look after myself and get best value,” added the 79-year-old.

Dennis Southall, of Block Lane, Chadderton, said he shopped at Asda as well as the indoor and outdoor market in Oldham.

“It just depends which bus I catch. I don’t go to local shops because they are more expensive, and I wouldn’t go to them even if it meant they wouldn’t close down.”

Like most other people, he too said he had to make savings where he could, and there was a big difference between the cost of a shopping basket at a corner shop and at a supermarket.

Robert Wells, from Chadd-erton, said he didn’t like the idea of local shops closing down, and he would be happy to support them to stay open.

But, he admitted he does his main shop at a supermarket, but got his vegetables fresh from a market.

“I go to Bury market because Oldham market is dead,” he said.