Are Supermarkets Destroying Local Democracy?

Question

In the Nottingham town of Belper a well known supermarket chain want to build one of their super-stores there but has met stiff opposition from both residents and shopkeepers, for they already have two supermarkets.

However, unbeknown to the local population, the proposed super-store will almost certainly be built. Why? Because the chain have offered to build the Belper By-Pass and in order to build it the council have agreed they will compulsory purchase half of the super store's main competitor's car-park.

The other reason it will almost certainly be approved, despite the threat to it's thriving High Street, and the protests is this:

According to my source, the VAT bill for the super store is 14.5 million pounds.

Supermarkets, building contractors all offer incentives to local councils to approve their planning applications, and so thwarting the course of local democracy. Is it not time to call these incentives by their true name - bribes?

Answer 1

Nearest supermarket to me is miles and miles and miles away.

Thank f*ck.

Answer 2

I expect if the truth was known most people want another supermarket, it's called freedom of choice. It's nothing unusual for companies to contribute to such things as highways which will benefit the community. Bribes, maybe, but I would sooner have that than pay higher Council Tax bills ofr new roads.

Answer 3

yes, for sure.  Supermarkets as MUCH bigger in terms of cash, influence and legal budgets than any local council so they just run rings round them.  The top four supermarkets have so much more influence than people realise.

Answer 4

although these supermarkets give more jobs they give all the towns they come to franchise in a bad atmosphere as the only thing the towns then get ued for is for people to go outon the p**s and i t leaves these little towns and villages with no personality and feel like ghost towns apart from when people r on the p**s then it becomes the devils playpen

imight sound like an  old bible basher but the true is that i am only 26 and cant believe that people these days have such little respect for any1

Answer 5

The supermarkets are fulfilling a need, the new religion, if you like. Look at how many people are shopping on a Sunday than in church.

They realised a long time ago that people want longer opening hours, more choice in goods and easy, free parking. The high street is all very good, but not when it is raining, you have two tired toddlers getting irritable and the shop you need is the opposite end of the high street to the bus station.

One particular supermarket is guilty of flouting planning laws. The one I am talking about gained planning permission to build a certain sized store, but went over the size by quite a lot. The council objected, but it did no good. They don't have the financial clout to challenge them.

Despite all their failings, I like supermarkets. Do we really want to go back to 9 - 5 openings, half day on Wednesday and no opening on Sundays?.

Answer 6

when the supermarkets idea was first mentioned in the UK< not specificallyBelper>,like many other people I thought that cannot be good for the small shopkeeper,and in some cases that was a correct assumption,

But unfortunately that is progress, supermarkets now sell a tremendous range of products, and due to competition,  offering prices that the local retailer is unable to match "democracy" I think it is, you, have the choice of using these supermarkets or not, it is up to the individual

Answer 7

No the prIck$ in Whitehall are destroying that.Supermarkets just make lazy ba$tard$ lazier

Answer 8

Still, you get your by-pass, lower traffic, more choice, and the treasury gets more income, and the town gets more jobs.

Everyone's a winner.

Answer 9

It sucks, but money talks.

Destroying Democracy.....no.

Captialism........yes.

Answer 10

Very interesting question.  I am commenting from the United States of America, I am not familiar with your town, the VAT bill and I do not know what pounds translates into dollars, but I am sure it is more than a month's salary.  I work for an elected City Council Member and maybe I can give you some perspective, or at least a point of view.

Nottingham town of Belpar is blessed to have investment in the community.  What this says is that the community has a worthwhile economic structure, that can improve.  If a community doesn't grow it will in time...die.  Now this development may disturb a sleepy town with the hustle and bustle of roadway improvements, traffic lights and honking horns and tax increases (VAT bill?)  

However, you as a citizen can speak up and get them to provide green space, bike paths, walking paths, amenities that improve the value of home ownership.  Work with the Council and the business community and request a "Good Neighbor Agreement" that the business will abide by and make sure that Council affirms this document.  That way change in your community will be along the lines of what you think and how you feel.  

Always remember give.....and take; take and ....give.