Hildreds and Tesco - What's Afoot?

Is it just me or is anybody else confused about the reports in the local papers with regard to the Tesco expansion planning application?

We have the owners of the Hildred's Centre stating that the area occupied by the Co-Op is available for sub-let, the Co-Op saying they have not got plans to move or shut the shop and the Post Office, which is located within the Co-Op, saying that they know nothing about any closure and nobody has talked to them.

The owners of the Hildred's Centre have written to the Town Council complaining abut the Tesco expansion plans because they say Tescos could move into the Town Centre, possibly their building, although there is no vacancy there at the moment according to the tenants that are there. What? They also complain that the information regarding the potential for retail expansion in Skegness is outdated. Surely that is Tescos problem? I would have thought that a company as successful as Tesco, with the business acumen that they possess would know whether their plans are sustainable or not!!

The Town Council have taken this at face value, by the looks of things, and have decided not to support the Tesco expansion plans. For goodness sake!!!

Thankfully, they do not have the actual say as to whether planning permission can be given, ELDC do. It is to be hoped that they take a more sensible view!

It would seem to me extraordinary if anybody is expecting Tesco to set up a second shop in Skegness about half a mile from the one they already have. Why on earth would they want to duplicate their operation? Where is the common-sense or logic in that?

What a total muddle.

Something that comes to mind for me is this. Did Morrisons have all this trouble with their expansion? Were they expected to move into the town centre? If they did or they were then it certainly wasn't noticed by me and, from memory, there was not all this hoo hah in the local press! Is there a reluctance in this town to assist when it comes to anything to do with Tesco's?

In a time of recession and with no other investment due to come into the town as far as I know, it is plain daft to put barriers in the way of Tesco expanding it's operation here in Skegness. If the only reason for it going ahead is the 75 permanent jobs that are to be created, then that is good enough for me. Everything else is peripheral in my view.

Let's get on with it I say. Let's accept the investment and be glad of the extra employment within the town. We most certainly need it!!!