Charities' windfall as port Tesco set to open
THE old Woolworths store in Brixham is reopening as a new Tesco Express on Wednesday.
The tennis court size convenience store in Fore Street has created 24 jobs and will sell a range of more than 2,500 products.
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Members of Brixham Does Care and Brixham Museum will perform the ribbon-cutting ceremony and declare the new store officially open at 10.30am.
Afterwards, manager Steve Wills will present the two charities with a £500 donation each.
Steve said: "We are delighted to be able to support these two organisations as they do so much work in the local area."
He added: "My staff and I are looking forward to welcoming our customers into the new store and we hope Tesco will become a key part of the community."
Ian Graham (pictured left), director of Brixham Does Care, said: "We are delighted we will benefit from the opening of the new store, and we would like to thank Tesco for its support.
"The money will go towards a new minibus."
Lesley Smith, of Brixham Museum, also thanked the store, adding: "This kind of donation will be used for community-based education projects."
Brixham Town Council chairman Chris Bedford welcomed the opening of the new store.
He said: "It will allow people to get used to the Tesco brand in town, because people have had to live with Somerfield and the Co-op.
"A Tesco Express will not in any way be the equivalent of a proper Tesco supermarket with a car park.
"The main store development is still steaming ahead.
"It's going to happen, the question is when. The target is still this autumn.
"Torbay Council and Tesco are working as hard as they can to deliver, but there are issues outside of their control that could conceivably delay it."
The doors of the new Express store will open for the first time at 8am on Wednesday.
It will open seven days a week from 6am to 11pm.
5 Comments
by Ron Payne, Swindon
Thursday, March 12 2009, 9:37PM
“As somebody who loves Brixham I welcome the new store - anything that gives the area more of a buzz is welcome. Gary Hobbs' comments re Co-op and Somerfield made me smile, one will probably be shut now that the takeover of Somerfield is complete. Our local Somerfield is much cheaper and stocks more goods that the Co-Op 100 metres down the road - guess which one has just been announced as closing in May!!”
by Garry Hobbs, Brixham
Thursday, March 12 2009, 7:17PM
“He said: "It will allow people to get used to the Tesco brand in town, because people have had to live with Somerfield and the Co-op....... What a wholly outrageous thing to say, as though the Co-op and Somerfield were somehow inferior or substandard - disgraceful slur.
I know who I would trust more to provide a decent service to the community, certainly not Tesco. Look at some their antics elsewhere, not to mention their odious land-banking antics. I for one will continue to use Somerfield and the Co-op for day to day needs (whilst I am still able). I commend others to do the same. As the saying says: "Use it or lose it" As for the donations, whilst of course they would be received gladly for obvious reasons, don't for one minute believe they were made for altruistic reasons.......”
by Loon, Torbay
Thursday, March 12 2009, 11:10AM
“Well... that's going to be it as far as Tescos are concerned. Lets just sit back and wait for the excuses as to why the main development can no longer go ahead (with extra browny points if they can blame it on the EU...)”
by Doc, Torre
Thursday, March 12 2009, 9:40AM
“"Do not trust the horse, Trojans. Whatever it is, I fear the Greeks even when they bring gifts." Virgil's Aeneid, 19 BC”
by Richard, Brixham
Thursday, March 12 2009, 9:31AM
“I hope this will prove to be another breath of fresh air for Fore Street and Brixham. Can we now concentrate on dealing with the groups of "bored" youths that wander the town aimlessly until all hours?”