Anne Main Presses Tesco For Action Over London Rd Site
19th June 2006
Anne Main last Thursday (15th June) met with Katherine Edwards, Corporate Affairs Manager, and a member of the Corporate Social Responsibility Unit to discuss the London Rd site owned by Tesco.
Anne Main last Thursday (15th June) met with Katherine Edwards, Corporate Affairs Manager, and a member of the Corporate Social Responsibility Unit to discuss the London Rd site owned by Tesco.
During the frank meeting various issues were discussed such as the effect of the land owned by Tesco on St Albans' businesses, neighbouring residential properties and the image of the City as a whole. Anne was given assurances by Ms Edwards that there was now 'a sea change in activity levels within Tesco itself' toward developing this site and that there were now truly 'meaningful discussions between Tesco and Esso regarding the garage which Tesco hope to purchase that did not exist six months ago', she indicated that the CPO request seemed to have stirred up activity.
Anne told Ms Edwards that the people of St Albans had been hearing that 'something was due to happen' for a considerable period of time and that Tesco ought to be able to get answers to a series of questions that will determine the future of the site namely: if Tesco could not obtain the Esso site would they proceed without out it or sell the site on and what, if any, time limitation would apply? Why wouldn't Esso sell to Tesco was it a question of price or lack or negotiation on Tesco's part?
Anne said "It appears that Tesco's application for a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) via St Albans District Council seems to have focused minds at Esso. Apparently Tesco already has strong business links with Esso via their Tesco Express stores so communication at a business level should not be a problem. It's not good enough to say that Tesco haven't been able to get the other party to see the urgency of negotiating on the Esso site. If Esso don't want to sell, at any price then Tesco should be able to make a fairly swift decision to either develop or sell up. People of St Albans were tired of 'being fobbed off' we want action from Tesco: not more warm words I await answers from Ms Edwards.""