9th April 2009

46, Birkendale Road, Sheffield, S6 3NL
0114 2340647


Dear Editor,

It is good to see local people and councillors objecting to a further bid for a Tescos on Commonside ('New Bid For Supermarket' The Star 30th March.) What a pity that councillors on the City Centre and East Planning Board supported the application for a Tescos on Abbeydale Road against the expressed wishes of local people? Why did the LibDems vote in Council
against a plea by the Federation of Small Businesses to stop supermarkets driving independent local stores out of business?

Supermarket chains drive out local independent businesses and dominate our high-streets. In championing choice, local communities are strangled and left with no choice. They control over 80% of the food business, seriously damaged small farmers and growers and increase road traffic. The claim that they create jobs does not bear close examination. They have
hoodwinked both the Competition Commission and the Office of Fair Trading and halted the recommended Code of Practice.

Sheffield Green Party will continue to campaign at both a local and city wide level to bring back the control of our high streets to local people. We will encourage people to use the new powers they have through the Sustainable Communities Act to stop the destruction of our local shopping centres.

With proper regulation the real costs of our food system will be reflected in the price paid at the check-out and we will see the back of these clone town creating bullies.

Yours Sincerely

Bernard Little.
Green Party Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Sheffield
Central Constituency