Tesco

I know, I know we all love to hate the supermarkets. I do wonder however  if we are kidding ourselves when we think that by driving down market forces we can preserve some kind of rural idyll – read on…..

It is a battle that has been raging across the UK, but in one market town hostilities have come to an end – for now.

Tesco has withdrawn its application to build a supermarket in Hadleigh, Suffolk, following a 26-year campaign against the proposed store by local people. But why is one market town claiming victory while others have failed?

After Babergh District Council rejected its latest application, the supermarket chain said: “We respect the democratic planning process and have decided not to appeal against the committee’s decision.”

Campaigners were jubilant. “I’m absolutely delighted,” said Jan Byrne, who led the Hands Off Hadleigh campaign against Tesco.

She added: “I think they didn’t expect to be defeated in this silly little town.”