Linwood Centre regeneration by Tesco

Once in a while an issue of such importance arises that you feel obliged to act.

The foot dragging and broken promises by Tesco over the future of Linwood Town Centre is one such issue. I have now written to Tesco’s Chief Executive in the strongest possible terms – see below – about the damage his company’s delay, inaction, and broken promises are causing to my Linwood constituents. I realise many of you live in Renfrew or Paisley – but for future promises by Tesco to Paisley or Renfrew should not be allowed to deflect attention from letting Linwood down.

Copy of Letter to Tesco Executives:

LINWOOD TOWN CENTRE
Despite repeated emails in recent months to Tesco representatives requesting progress updates and meetings it has been disappointing to receive no response. Following our September meeting, at which you indicated a planned October Board submission, the communication from the company to the community and elected politicians has been poor.

Can I invite you to visit the “Love Linwood” website http://www.lovelinwood.com/ established by Tesco in March 07. The site is now an embarrassment. I hope instead of taking it down, its existence will provide a spur to early action to keep the commitments made to the community therein. Today it looks like evidence of a major corporate marching a hard-pressed community up to the top of the hill and then abandoning them there.

I note the promises of regeneration on the “The Project” page, see Annexe 1. And somewhat ironically, the “public consultation” page appears over two years out of date – emblematic of the neglect the community now feels.

I reflect back to the public announcement by Tesco in early February 2007, and associated media coverage of the planned purchase and redevelopment of the near-derelict Linwood shopping centre as a Town Regeneration project. Back in March 2007 the “Love Linwood” website, the emergence of the Tesco Linwood Regeneration Partnership, literature, public meetings, a Tesco/Linwood community phone line, and a public exhibition displaying the anticipated new town centre, all seemed to promise a fresh start.

At no stage were elected representatives or local residents given any indication that three years later the site would lie more derelict than ever with no new retail outlets and still no timetable for construction or opening of the new town centre. Whatever explanation may now be offered, the promises made to local residents in 2007 were not caveated, or hedged around with warnings of extended delays. In consequence, Tesco’s corporate reputation has been badly tarnished by delays, which at minimum, will now extend to more than four years after the project was first announced.

I am copying this correspondence to the Director of Corporate Affairs who was happy to attend events in Scotland lauding the concept of a Tesco-led Linwood Regeneration when it was first muted. I hope senior Tesco executives will review the corporate statements reported in the Scottish national media at that time – see Annexe 2 from the Herald. Sadly, today it reads as broken promises to a community, already sorely tested by a legacy of industrial decline.

Please spare the community references to the prevailing economic climate. I note between 07/08 and 08/09 Tesco PLC Group reported a 15% increase turnover over the year and a 12% rise in trading profits. Moreover over the last decade Tesco PLC has reported a 167% increase in turnover and a 231% increase in trading profits – and over that last four years Tesco (UK) has enjoyed an unmatched profits performance amongst the “Big Four”.

You will understand why, with no positive action being witnessed and no news of a guaranteed start or completion date on site the people of Linwood have become deeply disillusioned about Tesco promises and there is now widespread community anger.

Additionally the local media recently has repeatedly highlighted the proposed Tesco Paisley Superstore plans, which only add to my Linwood constituents’ frustrations. They read front-page leading articles promising a new Paisley store whilst for some time there has been an absence of any effective communications about the fate of the promises made to the Linwood community in the spring of 2007.

I would welcome full engagement at the highest level including early confirmation of the planned build schedule and an outline of the “repair work” the company plans to undertake with the community whose patience has been sorely tried.

Yours sincerely

WENDY ALEXANDER MSP
Paisley North