MP in swipe at giant stores

MICHAEL Meacher reckons over-dominance of supermarkets is damaging working-class chances of starting small businesses.

The Oldham West and Royton MP said the recent riots at a newly-opened Tesco Express store in Bristol has put the overwhelming dominance of Tesco in the spotlight.

Mr Meacher said: “The arrival of big supermarkets has been found to cause a marked decline in participation in many community activities — charity work, church involvement, even voting turnouts. The power of the supermarkets also often rubs out the option of small retail businesses which have hitherto offered the only avenue of social mobility for many working class or immigrant aspirants.”

The Labour MP said he had nothing against supermarkets and used them like anybody else but criticised the Competition Commission for giving giant stores a clean bill of health on grounds consumers like their range of goods, but ignoring other factors including the fact money earned by local stores generate more local activity than supermarkets which take their profits elsewhere.

Mr Meacher added: “Current planning laws are very one-sided. If the developer’s application is turned down by the council, he has the right of appeal to the Secretary of State, who invariably grants it.

“But if the developer’s application is accepted,there is no right of appeal for local objectors.

Shouldn’t the matter not be decided by a ballot of those living in the catchment area?”