General Discussion

Apparently both Tesco and Sainsbury have declined to send a representative to next Tuesday's public meeting called to discuss whether or not Dawlish needs another supermarket and, if so, where.

Why am I not surprised?

Probably because they know they've already got it in the bag.

'Another supermarket' where are the others?

Surely its not whether a supermarket is needed but where its going.This morning I went to the Co op couldnt get half things I went in there for what I did get was expensive the length of time it took to pay for the stuff i could have gone to Tescos and back

I walked into the Co Op yesterday and walked out wivout buying anything e(always shopped in Sumerfield) it cost less get in the car and go to Asda

That you have a problem with the small supermarkets in Dawlish and feel the need to complain about them isn't the same issue as, and doesn't excuse, Tesco and Sainsbury for saying they will not be turning up to the public meeting next Tuesday.

Why do we have to have either Tescos or Sainsburys if they didnt turn up then the council should tell them to Get Stuffed

Both Tesco and Sainsbury have explained why they have declined an invitation to the meeting.
Both parties have carried out their own consultation and are still analysing consultation data and considering their next step.
Therefore it would not be appropriate for them to attend.

Ziggy - are you seriously saying that you believe all that Tesco PR c**p which says that they are still counting the results of their 'poll'!. That all took place at the beginning of December and we are now in February! Do you really believe that an organisation the size of Tesco wouldn't be able to find the wherewithall to get all those 'votes' counted and analysed ever so quickly if they had been in favour of the Tesco proposal. Of course they know the result: "Tesco - get stuffed".

I note that in today's Gazette that by the end of the Sainsbury's consultation 487 people had filled in the response forms and of these 435 had indicated support for the proposal. Can I make three comments;

1. And how big is the population of Dawlish? I mean I know it's not enormous but 487 could hardly be called representative surely.

2. Sainsbury claim that the 435 out of 487 figure represents 89% approval. Yes, mathematically they are correct. But hardly representative of the total population of Dawlish is it.

3. Have you heard of the expression: Lies, damned lies and statistics? I suggest you bear it in mind.

Polls are not representative of the people.The only way to do it is send a questionaire to every household and Force them to complete it and thats draconian or have something on the lawn. Not everyone can attend meetings they have other comitments
Most people I talk to the topic is not if we should have a proper retail outlet but where.
I think all those against have either got property prices in mind or the jobless who will have no excuse to work, the I cant work in a care home will be thrown out the window