Survey: Tesco on Mill Rd

When it was announced in the autumn that supermarket chain Tesco had purchased a site on Mill Road and were planning to open a Tesco Express store there was widespread public outcry. Mill Road is perceived as being a cultural hotbed in Cambridge with a wide range of independent shops and traders. Subsquently the No Tesco on Mill Road Campaign was created and swiftly gathered momentum.

On Thursday 6 March the East Area Committee of the Cambridge City Council declined Tesco's application for an extension to their site on Mill Road.

Here we present the results of our survey about these events and the Tesco on Mill Road issue in general. 

Key comments from the survey included:

• It has brought residents AND traders into closer and more fun contact. The campaign is generating an articulated and lively sense of pride in our locality. 
• Tesco killed Royston, don't let it happen anywhere else
• The No Mill Rd Tesco Campaign has been effective, efficient, polite and in *every* way brilliant. 
• I have great respect for Tesco as a clever, well organised retailer. However, their market share in Cambridge is far too big.
• The only way to stop Tesco is the nightmare of their lorries in Mill Road. The planners have to be reminded of this all the time. We stopped Tesco at Mitcham's Corner in just that way. 
• If people don't want to shop at Tesco then don't! But some families want to! At the moment the building looks a right mess with all the posters disputing Tesco. I think it is pointless fussing!
• There are already too many supermarkets in Cambridge
• I think the only store Tesco will affect is the Co-op, this campaign has nothing to do with Mill Road, it's just an anti Tesco 
• Tesco can open elsewhere, Mill Rd is unique in Cambridge 
• Would this happen anywhere else in Cambridge?
• I sympathise with the protesters' anxieties but found their approach so aggressive and their arguments imbalanced that I have not taken part. I do think local traders actually need the competition! 
• It would be nice to have a clothing store, shoe store or music store on the site.
• In the name of small business, communities and diversity Tesco must be stopped
• Who would yet another Tesco store in Cambridge benefit except Tesco?
• Fantastic example of people putting their opinions into action rather than moaning and doing nothing

Please note that this questionnaire based survey was not a scientific study and should not be interpreted as such