This article is from page 4 of the 2008-06-24 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
FOUR of west Clare’s petrol station owners are claiming that Tesco’s §ar- rival in their market will threaten the existing network of stations.
Many local jobs will be lost if Tesco gets planning permission to establish one of its stations in Kilrush, accord- ing to local businessmen Vincent Crowley of Ennis Road, Kilrush; Ol- iver O’Shea of High Street, Kilrush; John Daly of Cooraclare and Michael Fitzpatrick of Kilmihil.
The four have lodged a joint ob-
jection against Tesco developing a four-island petrol filling station ad- jacent to its recently opened store in Reta
“Competition already exists with four retailers located within such a small area,” according to the objec- tion which planning consultant Tim O’Brien lodged on behalf of the sta- tion owners.
“The addition of another petrol retailer in this small geographical area with the economic and market- ing power of Tesco will only serve to undermine the viability of the exist-
UITSMB Kol R-DULo RCM DOLOMAUDUNSMONLOKe IONMNOLS Tesco store as a competing centre to the town centre.”
Mr O’Brien points to the town manager’s report which states that new petrol filling stations will only be permitted “where the need for an additional petrol station can be demonstrably justified and where it will not result in over concentration of single uses in one area”.
The consultant said that there was already an over-concentration with four petrol stations servicing a small geographical area, including two
within metres of the proposed devel- e)yetorle
Mr Fitzpatrick, in a separate objec- tion, states that there are “many fill- ing stations lying derelict all over the country due to Tesco serving cheaper brands of fuel…
“Temploy 12 people full time. With a drop off in sales it will mean that I will have to let people go.
Mr Crowley, in his objection, also says forecourt jobs at his station will go if Tesco arrives.
A decision is due on the application next month.