From Sam Wiseman.
IN all the planning to fill the town with additional shops, I find myself wondering why we have not considered the introduction of a shop like Tesco Extra.

Although the food from Tesco would be a great enhancement to the quality and value of our current suppliers, I am talking more of the additional products that Tesco supply such as toys, electrical goods, clothing and home furnishings — somewhat similar to the products provided until now by Woolworths.

I feel that the downfall of Woolworths in the UK was partly due to the development of many of the major supermarket retailers offering similar value products within the United Kingdom retail environment, but as we have never allowed a larger supermarket chain to enter the Island we have lost a very good value shop without any sign of an equivalent replacement.

Woolworths in Jersey was a very successful shop, and if ever I was looking for a particular item I would always try it as my first port of call (and very rarely was I disappointed).

As a mother of two young children I notice the difference in trying to find a suitable and value-for-money alternative, especially in times when we are all trying to watch every penny.

I appreciate that those who make all our ‘life-enhancing’ decisions all have very well paid jobs and never need to worry how much they could afford to pay for clothing, shoes, toys and household goods, but for those of us on meagre salaries a trip to the UK very often includes a trolley dash around Tesco and Asda to get a good few bargains to bring back home.
La Jolie,
Chemin du Moulin,
St Ouen.