Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Object

Representation ID: 19893

Received: 01/12/2008

Respondent: Battle Deli

Sections 7.30 to 7.31 seem to be focused on supermarkets as a source of floorspace for the sale of foodstuffs. This is an unjust distortion of the actual picture.
Many small shops retail specialist food products that cannot be purchased in supermarkets. A blanket assumption that food can only be purchased in large shops with national branding is wholly misguided.
The supermarket appears to be seen as "good" at the expense of the smaller retailer who at best is seen as "irrelevant". I would like to see an acknowledgement in the strategy that supermarkets are not the only place one can purchase food and that smaller food retailers make a vital contribution to the town. Battle is exactly the type of English country town where such shops would be expected.