Building work on the 70,000-square-foot supermarket is progressing well. It is scheduled to be completed in early 2012. Last year, negotiations to relocate an energy substation on the land thwarted the Tesco superstore. Tesco wants to offer shoppers in the town centre where to shop for groceries.
Tesco claims the new store will create around 240 jobs for local people. This is good news for local employment and the local economy. It’s also convenient for locals who prefer a grocery store on their “doorstep” to Sainsbury’s or ASDA.
The building works have been causing significant disruption to the Quay Street roundabout traffic as the new ‘traffic-easing’ road system is constructed. How will it affect food markets and town centre shops already in existence?
Will Tesco be taking customers away from the markets and smaller town centre food shops, or is it appealing to an entirely different customer base? One thing it will do is bring more people to the town centre, but will they stay and take a look around other shops, too?
It’s only a matter of time before we see whether Tesco’s existence in Fareham will benefit the local community. Will it do more harm than good? One thing is for sure: Tesco in Fareham will require shop fittings such as clothes rails, coat hangers, and mannequins to store their clothes in this supermarket.