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Tesco 'won't be right replacement' for Kingston Woolworths
3:38pm Thursday 8th January 2009
Comments (1)A Tesco supermarket “would not be right” to replace Woolworths in Kingston’s Market place, town centre manager Graham McNally has said.
Rumours have been circulating that the store is braced to move into the prime site, because it is the only supermarket chain not to have a presence in the town.
But Mr McNally said it would not fit in with the other shops and the competition could cripple the market traders.
He said: “I would prefer it to be a fashion outlet but I’m fully reconciled to the fact that money talks. Unfortunately, I have as much influence over this as a blue bottle around the room.
“I really, really value the Market Place and I don’t want to see it being damaged by anyone.
“It is a good site and I’m fairly confident that it would be one of the first former Woolworths to find a new occupant.”
Fears over competition with the market stalls were shrugged off by secretary of the Market Traders’ Association Councillor Steve Mama, who suggested the extra footfall could benefit them.
He said the traders had asked if the site could be turned into an indoor market but he doubted the council would support it.
Tesco bosses have remained tight-lipped about their plans and refused to confirm or deny the rumours this week.
Good site: The closed-down Woolworths in Kingston's Market Square
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DB, Surbiton says...
6:31pm Fri 9 Jan 09
It is a massive store (even by Kingston standards), and would have to be subdivided several times to attract the type of retailer that would better fit in with the Market Place.
The situation for the Surbiton store is even worse. Tesco will not want that one as there are so many supermarkes there already.