Super shop is ‘hurting trade’
The new state-of-the-art Morrisons in Houghton Regis
Houghton Regis’ new state-of-the-art Morrisons store has been hitting trade say family-run businesses in the area, putting some in fear of their livelihood.
The shop has created 180 new jobs in the area, boasts 585 varieties of fruit and vegetables, 140 different cuts of meat and 70 different cheeses.
Morrisons has only been open a week but traders in Bedford Square are already starting to feel the effects of competing with a store with such an extensive range of produce.
Dean Rudelhoff of D&I Family Butchers said: “Morrisons and the roadworks have affected us, but the roadworks were Morrisons’ as well.
“I spoke to a fruit and veg man who works on the market and he was close to tears – he’s not selling anything.
“It’s bad for us because Morrisons are the biggest supermarket butchers – they have 11 butchers in their shop.
“We’re going to do some taster events over Christmas to hopefully pull people back in.”
Christina from Cafe Del King said: “Sometimes I think it’s more easy for them to go shopping, then go to the cafe. For the moment we have not seen a drop in trade but who knows.”
However, visitors to the Gazette’s Facebook page support their local retailers.
Janet Lanoutte said: “I haven’t been in there – still use shops in Bedford Square.”
Have your shopping habbits been affected by the big new Morrisons? Join the debate on the Dunstable Gazette Facebook page or on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Dunstable_Rick
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Saturday 25 May 2013
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