Tesco targeting pubs for stores

Supermarket giant Tesco has been accused of targeting pubs for new stores, in order to avoid complex planning laws, by Nottingham City Council.

Planning rules mean that a supermarket does not need to apply for a change of use in order to trade a former pub as a supermarket.

The council's deputy leader Graham Chapman told the BBC that Tesco was trying to open more branches than was good for the city.

The council turned down planning permission for a Tesco on a neighbouring site to the Jolly Higglers, in the town's Radford area, while residents campaigned against a new store at former pub the Oakdale, in Bakersfield. Chapman said: "At the moment (Tesco) is making the decisions, not the council or residents."

Tony Fletcher, corporate affairs manager for Tesco, said: "We are not specifically targeting pubs, but there are quite a lot of them on the market at the moment.

"All over the country we are looking at shops rather than pubs, but it just so happens that in certain areas, such as this one in Nottingham, pubs are available.

"The council is saying it doesn't like the law (over how pubs don't require a planning application for change of use) and would like it changed. It's being slightly disingenuous as you do have to go through planning to change the signage.

"We are offered quite a lot of pubs by agents, and if they are in areas where we are looking to open a store we will have a look at them.

"But I would say our approach is reactive rather than proactive."