WITH Tesco bidding to build yet another superstore in the area, a Times Territory business guru has added fuel to the fire of debate.

WITH Tesco bidding to build yet another superstore in the area, a Times Territory business guru has added fuel to the fire of debate.

Peter Donn, who owns the ‘thebestofwelwyngardencity’ has highlighted a new survey commissioned by his parent group, thebestof.co.uk

Findings show that the majority of Brits felt supermarkets were killing off the high street.

A further 60 per cent of those surveyed agreed the Government wasn’t doing enough to encourage and support small retailers.

The survey is in contrast to the latest CBI figures which suggest high street sales are up, with 58 per cent of retailers saying sales volumes rose during October.

And it comes at a time when Welwyn Hatfield Council has received a planning application from Tesco to build a 50,000 sq ft store on the Broadwater Road site – on the opposite side of the railway track from the exisiting town centre on land not allocated for retail use.

Mr Donn, said: “It’s interesting there is still a strong perception that the high street is in decline – especially when it comes to local retailers and small businesses. With the rise in VAT next year this could become an even bigger issue.

“What shop owners need to understand is there are many ways they can compete with major chains. For example, by setting up special offers specific to the local area, or building a reputation as a local champion, you can really capture the imagination of the community.”

For more information on the full statistics of the survey contact Peter Donn 07786 066501 or email welwyngardencity@thebestof.co.uk