Press release: 300 people take part in March against Mill Road Tesco
An estimated 300 people braced the cold weather today to march down Mill Road in protest against the planned opening of a Tesco Express store on the street.
Local residents, shoppers and traders marched down Mill Road in an act of defiance that will send a strong message to add to the petition of over 4000 signatures already gathered against the proposal.
Before the march began, City Council Leader Ian Nimmo-Smith spoke to the assembled crowds. “It is an oddity that the most serious aspect of the proposal of opening a store on Mill Road is something the planning committee can not take into account. That is the great concern that a valuable and unique collection of independent shops could be marginalised and lose viability” he said.
Ben Bradnack, City Councillor for Petersfield, added “This is a case of a community which functions as a community. It is the local community which is fighting this battle, and it will be a victory for the local community if we win”.
After the march, local campaigner Richard Rippin commented “The march was a great success today. The fact that so many people came out in such cold weather shows the strength of feeling in this community. Some argue Tesco will bring choice, but we love Mill Road the way it is. We already have a fantastic choice of independent shops here, all of which would be threatened if Tesco opened. We don’t want Mill Road to be another identikit street like every other high street in Britain, and that’s why we’re marching today, and that’s why we’ll keep fighting.”
The campaign are now waiting for the decision of the City Council on Tesco’s three planning applications. To get involved in the campaign visit www.nomillroadtesco.org. The next meeting will be on Wednesday 28th November at 6.30pm in the Baptist Church, Mill Road.
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
For more information see www.nomillroadtesco.org
