admin wrote:
In regards to shopping local, a interesting question I was asked a while ago was "when was the last time you bought from a local trader and how often do you buy rather than going to national chains, supermarkets etc?" You maybe surprised with the answer you receive from most people.

I think the answer would be that most people would choose national chains and supermarkets, if so, then people would choose Asda over the local traders. I try to support the small businesses as much as possible, but nevertheless if items are there in front of me in a supermarket then I'll be as tempted as the next person.

moonwolf wrote:
Trouble is Lin, as I see it, Asda will take away the trade from the small shops, so there won't be a town to go to! Asda sells everything and cheaply. It's more convenient to get everything under one roof and take it back to the car in a trolley.

Out present traders will lose their living and Exmouth will lose it's charactor. They seem to be doing a good trade right now when I shop there.

I think the present Tesco is sufficient actually.

Surely those that opt for the convenience of 'shopping under one roof' already do so at Tesco? I don't think it would take any more away from the town centre than Tesco already has done - it will just give people the opportunity to choose between Tesco or Asda. There are still many things I would go into town for that I couldn't get in a supermarket. I don't envisage Asda being that much bigger than Tesco (which I read in the Journal is 54,750 sq ft - th proposed Asda, I believe, is going to be 40,000 sq ft) so they won't be able to stock the range they offer in larger stores.

Tesco in the winter is probably just about sufficient (although everytime I've been I've had to queue and they are often out of stock of items I want to buy) but during the holiday season, it definately isn't.

Having spent the last 10 years in a town with Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Lidl's and Aldi, I really do think it would do Exmouth the world of good to have a store nearer town. I regularly ventured into town (often parking in one of the store carparks) for items (ie. clothes, shoes etc.) where there was more choice... or even just for a bite to eat! The town was always busy.. .as was the Saturday market that continues to operate. This is how I envisage Asda in Exmouth working too.

i have to say I am concerned for the magnolia centres survival.If the town centre becomes run down that will deter visitors from exmouth.Any ideas what would happen to the Somerfield site if they cannot compete if asda comes to town.When my daughter lived in Exmouth we did try to give our custom to both large and small shops alike.Its your town look after it best you can.

There are I think a number of issues to do with this proposed development.
Firstly there is the issue of democracy, or rather lack of it. You may not recall the occasion but EDDC gave their word not to promote the estuaryside site after they got such a hammering in the two lots of their consultations.In a press release dated 22 February 2006 they said, and I quote "Its No to the Visitor centre site and no to the supermarket" They continued "The people of Exmouth have spoken and we are listening". The leader of EDDC Sara Randall Johnson said " If the will of the town is that it does not wish to accept this package then we are happy to abide by the wishes of the people". The council later passed a motion not to promote the estuaryside. In December 2007 the council invited four supermarket chains/agents to submit their ideas for the estuaryside. So much for democracy and the word of EDDC!
Secondly there is the question of whether the estuaryside is a suitable location for such a mamoth proposal.I have already expressed my view that is is not, that the site should be tidied up, greened and have a use more fitting its unique location. We should keep what little access and views of the water that we still have left. Asda's plans will remove the estuaryside from our sight from the road alongside the railway.
Thirdly there is the issue of the effect of any new superstore on the existing businesses and the well being of the town centre. The size of the proposed Asda is massive. In today's Journal, that strange office holder of "Champion for Exmouth", Cllr Skinner who does not even represent an Exmouth ward, let it slip that the new building will extend right out from the estuaryside and cover the roundabout by the Kentucky. Can you just imagine the size? He also talked about _link_ed trips , a technical term that basically concerns whether, if you visit one place you then go on to visit other shops. The suggestion has been that the _link_ed trips from a new Asda will benefit the town. Both EDDC and Exmouth Town Council have been asked to produce some studies that they have quoted as evidence of _link_ed trips. In EDDC's case it transpired they could not even show they had read it let alone produce it (makes you wonder who has been writing their releases!) I am still waiting, over three months on, for the Town manager to produce the evidence after he said in December "There is clear and well-documented evidence of how well thought through and well designed projects can bring real benefits to towns".
Well now I think I know why they are reluctant to produce these reports for I have acquired a copy of a report by Helpher Dixon for the Asda store in Spennymoor in November 2004. That report, which in my opinion as someone who has studied research methods, misses many of the relevant points that should be covered(but as it was done for ASDA that is not surprising). It does report that of those who were questioned as they left ASDA, 18.3 % claimed they _link_ed a vist to the town every visit to ASDA. (They didn't say why though so it could be to a library or non food premise etc)
What they might not want you to know is that of those questioned in the Street in Spennymoor, i.e. not in ASDA, 47% _link_ed a trip to the town with a trip to ASDA.
In short, more people from the town went to ASda than did people from ASDA to the town. We do not know why people went from Asda to the town but it is reasonable to assume that people who went to Asda from the town did so to shop. Given that the slogan of ASDA is "Why pay more" is it surprising?
A really worrying feature of the survey is that supermarket shopping accounted for 95.4% of the food shopping of those surveyed. Only 3.2% used non supermarket shops. If that is not evidence of the likely demise of our independent town shops, and then the town centre, I don't know what is.
We need our small independent retailers, the likes of Porky Down who we visit every week. We need bookshops and music stores that sell more than just the best sellers.
We don't need more charity shops (another just opened) if the town is to have any life about it. Remember also that Asda will be open 24 hours a day, what chance will the small man have.
My apologies for the length of this but I hope it helps identify some of the issues.
PS. Went to the Tesco preview earlier tonight, looks like they mean to increase the size of their Salterton road store by around 40 odd % and their manager belives that it will make shoping there less of a hassle. We will see!

I must say that for a first post, you could not have said anything better than "it's your town, look after it".

This is what these forums are for, this is what the site is for, this is why it is free to use. I do not know if there is a plan to charge people for parking in the ASDA car park but I hear today, Tesco are looking to expand. What are your views on this? A good thing or very bad thing? There is a public meet for the plans 10-4 at the Town Hall Friday and Saturday. I can not make it myself so if anyone does, please can you post up the findings for everyone to read?

I have also started 2 groups going regarding this discussion. A group for ASDA and a group against ASDA in Exmouth. As with all groups, you have your own private forums. You can find them here http://www.exmouthonline.com/component/option,com_groupjive/task,showcat/id,3/Itemid,244/

admin
If the Newton Abbot Store is anything to go by then charging will be a pound per hour with a maximum of two hours. If you spend over a certain amount (£10??) then your fee is refunded.
Parking will be a significant problem for an Asda in Exmouth. There was a study some while ago that said the council needed to provide many more spaces (over 200??) just to meet the towns existing needs. This was in respect of Imperial Road car park which many presently use for the nearby doctors, the sports centre and for shopping in the town. Where are the present users going to park if Asda take it over as they have indicated they will.
The other point is that two hours parking will not give one much time for _link_ed shopping in the town ecven if it was likely that many would want to do so.