Curse of the multinationals

Published: 16 September, 2010

• TWO Tescos in West Hampstead and now a Sainsbury’s.  

While some people may jump with joy, I am in despair. When will people wake up and realise? 

First multinational “local’ stores sell mainly own-brand products, many of which are not of top quality, and often have a very poor choice of fresh produce. 

Secondly, supermarkets in general do not give choice at all; I buy some things at Atlanta that I cannot find at any multinational supermarket (like real J Cloths, instead of cheap substitutes that rip with the first use). 

In addition, the multinationals push rent and rates up which makes it hard, if not impossible, for small independents to survive. 

Does anyone in West Hampstead remember Grog Blossom? The best off-licence I’ve ever seen. huge varied range, really knowledgeable and helpful staff. It left because its rent went up to a level it couldn’t afford.



And then there’s the traffic problems. 

While I understand Camden can’t be seen to discriminate in favour of Tesco by saying they can load and unload in West End Lane but Sainsbury’s can’t, one would hope that there is a limit to how much disruption residents, drivers and pedestrians can be expected to put up with. Could the council not say we have too many delivery vehicles clogging up our narrow road and we cannot have any more?
Marcia MacLeod, 
Dennington Park Road, NW6