SupaElectrics to be replaced by a Tesco Express

[Barbara Davies]

I have heard from a number of sources that half of the premises formerly used by SupaElectrics on Croydon Road near to the Beckenham roundabout are to be leased to Tesco for a Tesco Exprss shop. One source has said that they have asked for the bus stop immediately outsideto be re-located and another that they have asked for a parking bay to be constructed outside the shop.

The shop is situated at a busy junction with a zebra crossing. Users of the bus stop already have problems seeing what buses are arriving because of the SupaElectric lorries that need to load outside the store and I forsee greater problems with the more frequent deliveries needed by Tesco. Will they be using their huge delivery vehicles which would really impede traffic flow?

There is a very small parking area behind the parade of shops but I don't know whether any of these space are available for use by shoppers.

Parking has become very difficult in Westfield Road with the expansion of the hospital and whis will only become worse when the CPZ pushes cars further away from The Spa.

Shall we take bets on how long the small convenience store and the newsagents on the other side of Croydon Road will survive?

[Kennedy]

You'd think the town was well served by convenience and supermarket stores already. Small businesses are having a torrid time by themselves with the current economic climate and just like the proposed 24hr Costcutters store down from Clock House Station it doesn't help them one bit. We already have seen a number of shops go bust and be left empty. Landlords are then hurt too with no rent coming in, yet rates to pay. It heralds a decline. Allow Tescos to use their muscle and why not invite McDonalds, Burger King and KFC in too.