__Dear Sir,
I moved to Brickhill as a 4 year old child, in 1963, and I know the area particularly well. I am deeply concerned about the impact this proposed store will have on the residents living nearby: increased traffic, additional hazards caused by parking, the noise, and otjher associated dangers that will be increased for all residents but especially the youngsters and the elderly. The row of shops has served the community for over 40 years and the Newsagents in particular have given the local people excellent personal service; they lost the Post Office franchise recently and despite diversifying and offering other services (dry cleaning, photocopying etc.) their future is worryingly uncertain. It seems quite astonishing that retailers such as this newsagent are likely to face closure due to competition by an organisation that cares little for the individual shopper. Even more astonishing is the failure of the Borough Council to enforce the restrictive covenant on the property of the Bird in Hand, when at the recent poll, 94% of those who voted, cast their votes against this Store. I work with the East of England Ambulance Service and I am all too well aware of the dangers that alcohol causes. We already have shops who sell alcohol in the area, we do not need another off license. Our local shopkeepers are largely local folk who know many of our local residents (young and old) and they have an interest in the well being of local people...I doubt Tesco has any interest whatsoever in the welfare of the Brickhill residents. We know that the Tesco store in Flitwick has failed a number trading standards tests for the sale of alcohol to underage youngsters. In 2011, Brickhill had 655 reported crimes of which 354 were antisocial in nature. The presence of a shop with longer business hours than the other Brickhill shops is surely only going to exacerbate the problem of antisocial behaviour and underage drinking. It is my hope that the Licensing Authority will turn down this application from Tesco and show it is prepared to listen to and act on the wishes of those who expressed the desire to keep Tesco out of Brickhill. Your faithfully: L.Coldwell Its ridiculous to allow tesco to open a store on this site,this is a suberb of bedford, we like local shops, and a variety of choice,the bird in hand is and always will be the pub of brickhill, it was offered to be kept as a pub !what it could be is up to the brewery, they should look after there premises and put on events etc to keep people involved! David Bailey Brickhill Drive shops already has sufficient facilities for the local population - apart from a local Pub - (thanks to Charles Wells' brewery!) A Tesco is not needed here as it will severly damage the trade of the other shops - i.e. the existing newsagent and supermarket, which have been in existance since the early 1960's. The Tesco will also cause major traffic problems on the local roads, as the passing traffic (i.e. non-local people) will increase, and there are inadequate parking facilities - they are already right on the maximum capacity for the existing shops, any extra traffic will be forced into parking on the local side streets. Then there will be the increase in delivery lorries - it's bad enough already with them parking on the pavement in Brickhill Drive. The Tesco Off-Licence will also attract undesirable people congregating outside the shops - especially during the evenings. This will mean an increase in noise and other anti-social activities. NO TO TESCO - Brickhill wants it's pub back - preferably as a Freehouse, so it can become a success! Dave Crane How many more Tescos does Bedford need? The town is being crushed by the monopoly that Tesco is developing. We need to support our local shops and markets. Victoria Hilliard Fantastic result! I also saw this article about TESCO in Penarth and wondered how this is different to Bedford Planning process: DECISIONS on planning applications relating to a proposed Tesco Express store in Dinas Powys were deferred by Vale planners last week. Tesco bought the Castle Oak Pub at the corner of Murch Road and Castle Drive in Dinas Powys earlier this year, and plans to convert it into a small store. Their applications for a number of proposals – including the installation of air-conditioning and condenser units, signs and an ATM, and external alterations including a new shop front - were due to be decided at the planning meeting on September 29. However planners deferred the decision, pending a site visit. Liz Twigg We don't need a Tesco in Brickhill Colin Jackson Tesco already have enough stores in Bedford, opening this one in a row of existing shops would harm their trade - unfair to say the least!! Jane Dodds Hi peeps of Brickhill I'm from buxton & are also fighting to stop tesco from taking over our town too Tescos have a monopoly that goes beyond reasonable & will trample the little man to get what they want they have no scruples on where they buy their products nor do they consider their impact on the enviroment from their extensive waste. we have to stick together Good luck on your fight Caroline Hall We moved to Ryton Close a month ago, but I have shopped in Brickhill Drive and Avon Drive shops for a few year now. I was very disappointed when they shut the Post Office in Brickhill Drive but soon got to know Avon Drive. I am horrified when I heard Tesco's want the Bird in Hand. Mr & Mrs W.D.Evans Wishing you all the best in your fight. Caroline Walsh Tesco's greed never ceases to amaze me. Are they after world domination? We in Buxton, Derbyshire are also fighting Tesco. Let's fight them together!!! Nina Hawkes |
_Dear Sir/Madam
Re: Application BBC/PNEW/247/11 Tesco Stores 117 Brickhill Drive MK41 7QF I am a local resident living in close proximity to the proposed Tesco Express Store on Brickhill Drive, Bedford. I am very concerned that Tesco has submitted an application for a premises licence to allow the sale of alcohol at the proposed store seven days a week from 06.00 to 23.00. I believe that Tesco has actually not followed the statutory requirements regarding the display of notices, as reported in the 'Beds on Sunday' newspaper dated 25th December 2011. I wish to record my personal objection to this application under the 'Prevention of Crime and Disorder, Prevention of Public Nuisance, and protection of children from Harm' criteria. I work at Bedford Hospital on the medical wards where an increasing number of people (including young people) are admitted with serious and often life threatening liver disease from alcohol misuse.This problem has worsened dramatically since I started work there 18 years ago. I see first hand what damage excessive use of alcohol can do, and by increasing its ease of availability in my residential area, may well worsen this problem. The Guardian newspaper printed an article by Don Shenker in September 2011 which stated " the increase in hospital admissions amoung young drinkers is a real cause for concern and is particularly worrying that the increased number and concentration of off-licences may be contributing to this. Local areas must have the ability to decide for themselves how many licenced premises they allow....." There are already two established stores in the Brickhill Drive parade of shops which both have licences to sell alcohol. A third store with longer opening hours will only make alcohol even easier to obtain, with implications for public disorder as well. I was interested to note this week in the news that Tescos annual sales have reduced by 2.3%. I and many of my friends (both locally and nationally) are dismayed at Tescos perceived decision to have a Tesco Express on every street corner. I stopped shopping at Tesco last year as a boycott to their behaviour, and many of my friends have done also. I don't think it is co-incidence that their sales figures (and subsequently share price) have gone down.People are finally getting wise to their tactics. I don't want Tesco to be present in my local parade of shops as I have two perfectly good stores already there. I urge you to refuse this application on the reasons I have highlighted in my email. Yours faithfully, Helen Russell (Mrs) |