M&S FOOD STORE CLOSURE LEADS TO 'TESCO-BAY' FEARS

11.30.15am GMT Thu 8th Jan 2009

The news that Torquay's 'Simply Food' store is on the Marks and Spencer closure list means that there will no longer be a food store in the Union Square shopping centre and could lead to Torbay becoming 'Tesco-Bay' say the Lib Dems.

The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Torbay Council Steve Darling said, "With the closure of Somerfield in Union Square just over a year ago, concerns were expressed about the closure of a large food store in the centre of Torquay. These concerns were slightly allayed by the opening of the Marks and Spencer 'Simply Food' store. The news that this store is to close is bad news. It is a sad reflection of the Bay's low wage economy that a higher end small food store cannot be supported. The Council needs to redouble its efforts to attract quality full time jobs - so that a vibrant high street can be maintained.

"Meanwhile Tesco is set to open a small store by the town hall in Torquay. This is in addition to its stores near Fleet Walk, Teignmouth Road, and Barton Hill Road as well as Preston, and Palace Avenue in Paignton, and the new store set to open in Brixham. It looks like there will be a lack of choice on the high street for local people. Torbay is in danger of becoming 'Tesco-Bay."