What does supermarket war mean for Brighton and Hove?

Every time a large shop becomes empty it seems it is quickly snapped up and converted into a Sainsbury’s Local or Tesco Express.

The two chains now have a total of 18 stores in key trading locations across the city and the number is growing.

Sainsbury’s has confirmed it will open one of its Local stores on the site of the former Caffyns car showroom in Preston Road, Brighton.

Another is planned for the former Reflections bathroom shop in Portland Road, Hove, next year.

New Tesco Express stores have recently appeared in Queen’s Road and St James’s Street, Brighton.

Other chains are also opening up new convenience stores as the march of the supermarkets continues across the city.

Morrisons took over the former Somerfield store in St James’s Street, Brighton, and Iceland has opened at the former Woolworths store in Portslade.

Supermarket executives say the move is good for consumers, offering them cheaper food in convenient locations.

Independent traders fear the invasion of the superstores could drive them out of business and affect the communities they move into.

Criticised

John Towill has run Pulseorganics.

com, selling organic wholefoods at the Open Market, Brighton, for six years.

He said claims the giants undercut prices offered by independent traders are a misconception.

His shop sells pulses and other foods by weight and customers can buy as much or as little as they want.

However, he criticised the giants for the way they deal with their suppliers.

Mr Towill said: “They seem to create an environment of fear and continually try to push down the prices they pay to suppliers.

“They also buy up land and property to stop their competitors opening new stores, which is against free market competition.

“They also have a tendency to bland-out high streets, which all end up looking the same because the large supermarkets have moved in.”

He said it was up to independent traders to educate consumers about the advantages of buying locally.

He said: “I have got a small health shop in the Open Market and I am struggling.

“But when all is said and done it is down to me to provide the services the customer wants.

“You have to educate them as well and lay it on the line by saying if you want diverse independent businesses that provide valuable service you have got to use them.”

Sainsbury’s said its new stores would create jobs and offer customers more choice.

A spokesman said: “We tailor our products and services to ensure we complement the local area.

“Our convenience stores provide people with quality fresh, affordable food within walking distance of their homes.

“They don’t offer the specialist knowledge and ranges others, such as local butchers and greengrocers, can provide.

“Our experience also shows the addition of a new Sainsbury’s Local can bring many advantages to communities and traders.

“They can bring added investment to an area, create new jobs and increase footfall to the benefit of all.”

Gavin Beatty of Portland Road Traders Association (PRTA) said the area thrives as a result of the diversity of its shops.

Traders fear the opening of a Sainsbury’s Local there next year will have a major impact on neighbouring businesses.

He said: “A culture of diversity is something we have worked to achieve in the area over the past 20 years.

“A multinational is now using baron-like tactics to move into the road and wants to turn it into a high street.

“It doesn’t seem to want to support trade in Portland Road, which is at a premium in the current recession.

“Sainsbury’s said it wanted to talk to people but when it was asked if it wanted to be part of PRTA it declined the offer.

Drained

“When the local Co-op shut for a makeover earlier this year it was boom-time for traders round here for the three weeks it was closed.”

He said trade had dropped off since the Co-op reopened and what is left will be drained further by the Sainsbury’s Local opening nearby next year.

Mr Beatty added: “We have a real concern for a number of local traders and the effect it will have on them.

“They will really have to consider diversification if they are going to be able to survive and compete.

“A new major retailer is a direct threat to the livelihoods of these people who have not only their businesses here but, in many cases, their homes above as well.

“If they can’t support their business, how are they going to support their mortgage as well? “They could potentially lose their businesses and their homes in one fell swoop.”

Tesco said its Express stores quickly become part of the communities they serve.

A spokesman added: “They are popular because they offer competitive prices and more importantly convenience on our customers’ doorstep.

“In our experience they keep people shopping in an area and in turn encourage them to use other local shops.

“We have received positive feedback about our Express format and they are very much part of the community the serve.

“They can actually boost local trade and attract more people to an area.

More competition and more choice can only bring advantages to an area.”