Tesco for Southborough? A threat to Rusthall High Street?

In May I commented on the proposal for  a Tesco supermarket in Southborough.  Undoubtedly such a store will have an adverse effect on local shops and will add to traffic congestion.  However, people living in Southborough and High Brooms who wish to use a supermarket will not need to drive through the middle of Tunbridge Wells to Sainsbury's  or visit supermarkets in Tonbridge.

My opinion, if I may inter-meddle in Southborough affairs, is that development should enhance and not threaten current provision.

But what of the effect on Rusthall High Street?  Tesco has two stores in Rusthall, part of the One Stop Group.  An article in The Times last year stated that it costs 14% more to shop at a One Stop than at a Tesco badged store. That is a lot of  extra money to pay, particularly for pensioners and people on benefit or low earnings.

Undoubtedly a Tesco supermarket in Southborough will attract some people from Rusthall, but I expect it will draw people with cars who currently use Sainsbury's in Tunbridge Wells.  There is a bus every 12 minutes from Rusthall to  Sainsbury's, Tunbridge Wells and you would have to be barmy to change buses in Tunbridge Wells (outside Tesco) and journey on to Southborough.

One of the key features of the campaign by candidates for Rusthall Parish Council was  a commitment to enhance the High Street and one expects the Council to oppose the proposals for a Tesco in Southborough, if for no other reason than that it will put additional pressure on the road from Rusthall to Southborough. The catchment area for the proposed Tesco will reach to the west beyond the boundary of Tunbridge Wells. Speldhurst Parish Council may wish to oppose the proposal for the same reason, increased traffic through Speldhurst. People from the west may well be tempted to travel to Southborough rather than to Tunbridge Wells.

Rusthall Village Association will, I hope, oppose the Tesco proposal.  The chair of the Association is Tom Snook, the landlord of the Toad Rock Retreat and the defeated Liberal Democrat candidate at last May's borough council elections.