Traders in Penyrheol fear store will harm business (From Campaign Series)
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Traders in Penyrheol fear store will harm business
10:29am Wednesday 17th October 2012 in News
The road works and building work in Penryheol related to the new Tesco store
TRADERS in Penyrheol have not welcomed the news that a Tesco will soon open a new store at the old Bowls Inn pub site.
Bowls General Store known locally as Tony's directly opposite the Tesco store currently under construction will be in direct competition with the supermarket giant.
Gordon Chapman who works at the store owned by Tony Sawday said: "This store has been here at least 20 years since I have been here.
"The business has already been affected because of the road works which started in May of this year.
"There is no doubt that the new express store will affect the business. The residents have said that they will support the shop but if Tesco has milk or other gods a lot cheaper than here they will most likely go to Tesco."
Hank Marvin next door has been open for around nine months. The shop sells hot sandwiches and other food.
Owner Jenny Cosh said: "We have been affected by the road works and I am sure the new store will affect the business as well.
"I would not have opened the business here if I knew about the Tesco.
"If people want to park they will do so at the new store.
I just don't see the need for a store here at all."
Shops in the centre of Penyrheol also expect to be badly affected by the new store, which will be in competition with their businesses.
Darren French runs the Penyrheol News on Shopping Parade and is worried about the new store opening.
He said: "I have been here for five years and my mortgage is linked to my home so if this fails we are in trouble.
"It is a family run business with my son and daughter both working in the shop.
"We might be lucky as we are in the middle of an estate and people will hopefully come to us but we don't know."
Premji Bhoja who has run the Londis for more than 20 years said: "It will affect our business badly and the other shops in Penyrheol.
I also think it will affect business in Abertridwr as people will go to Tesco on their way home.
"We all thought that there was not going to be a Tesco on the site."
