I WAS delighted to read your story in this week’s Uttoxeter Advertiser that Asda will be coming to town.
It will definitely be good for the town centre and good for the people of Uttoxeter.
It is high time there was a major alternative to Tesco who have had the monopoly for too long.
I am not sure why concern has been shown that it will be in the town centre — is this not where a major retailer should be? Out-of-town retail centres are all well and good, but they are what the name suggests — out of town.
Plus, as the retailers there are all national, not one penny spent on that site does anything to improve the economic fortunes of Uttoxeter.
I think it unlikely that many shoppers are drawn into the town centre after spending their hardearned money in Tesco et al.
We want people in the town centre and the new development on the old cattle market site will, without doubt, provide increased footfall and greatly help the independent retailers, which Uttoxeter needs.
It is a shame we have to wait the previously-reported two years for this new development.
Knowing how things normally go in Uttoxeter, I think it will be more than two years before we see this development completed — or even started. We have waited long enough.
I still have fond memories of walking around the cattle market every Wednesday as a young child with my father and think it is such a shame that the promised replacement has never come to fruition.
A huge chunk of Uttoxeter’s heritage (and fortune) disappeared the day the cattle market closed. However, we must now look ahead to the days when this site is, once again, a hive of activity and helping to secure the future of our town.
Back to Tesco. I have been doing the weekly shop there for several months (praying for an alternative choice!) and was recently astounded when one of their ownbrand products increased in price by a staggering 66.6 per cent.
Their own-brand fresh mash was priced at 90p for many weeks, if not months. A couple of weeks ago, it was increased to £1.50 — an increase of 60p, equalling 66.6 per cent.
This is why it is vital that Uttoxeter has an alternative choice at which to shop.
I have contacted their head office, but, as yet, have received no response. Have any other readers noticed sudden huge price increases like this? I hope other readers contact you supporting this news from Asda.
Howard Parker
Smithfield Road
