More Supermarkets In Worcestershire Would Harm Local Shops

12.21.00am GMT Fri 2nd Nov 2007

Commenting on the findings of a Competition Commission report which calls on supermarkets to end 'land-banking' to allow more supermarkets to be built, Richard Burt, the West Worcestershire Liberal Democrats' Parliamentary Candidate said: "It is ridiculous for the Competition Commission to claim that there are too few supermarkets.

"I know as someone who, for many years, owned a small business, that last thing that local shops need is even more large supermarkets being built nearby taking all their trade.

"The Commission has failed supermarket suppliers and small shops by failing to tackle their exploitation of suppliers and planning law for their own gain.

"They have given the big supermarkets a slap on the wrist and their small competitors a slap in the face."