Tesco's driveto go green still calls for use of a car

Published on Monday 8 June 2009 22:02

SUPERMARKETS usually display their green credentials with re-usable carrier bags and by highlighting locally sourced produce.

But one chain has taken its commitment to the environment a step further with a new "greener supermarket".

Tesco says its new store in Dumfries – the first of its kind in Scotland – has a carbon foot-print 70 per cent smaller than similar developments that were built three years ago.

"Green" features of the store include a frame made from timber instead of steel; timber cladding; an energy-efficient ventilation system; 12 skylights to cut down on artificial lighting; a refrigeration system using carbon dioxide; recycling facilities; and a combined heat and power system.

The amount of recyclable materials used in fixtures and signs has been increased.

Doug Wilson, corporate affairs manager at Tesco, said the store would be a template for future outlets.

"The new blueprint, which will provide a foundation for future stores being built in the UK, demonstrates our commitment to tackling climate change," he said. "It will also considerably reduce store fuel costs."

However, the green transport campaigning body Transform Scotland said the fact that the new Tesco was based out of town damaged its environment-friendly credentials.

Colin Howden, director of the group, said: "Tesco and the other major supermarket chains have spent decades lobbying to be allowed to build at out-of-town locations almost entirely dependent on car access. So while it's welcome for Tesco to aim to reduce the impacts of its logistics chain, it will continue to have a poor environmental record while customers will have to use cars to get to the stores.

"There has been strong government guidance against out-of-town developments for the past 15 years, but local authorities have completely failed to put this guidance into practice. They have instead allowed the continued proliferation of out-of-town car-dependent development."

The supermarket has created 204 jobs and the company says it believes it can help retain trade in the area.

However, local retailers have also criticised the out-of-town location, claiming it will make it even harder to attract people to the town centre.

Rab Smith, chairman of the Dumfries Retailers' Association, said: "When you put businesses like that on the outskirts of town you are giving people less reason to come into your town."

He added that he felt the UK should follow America's example and set limits on the amount of development allowed outside the town centre.

"They (the planners] have realised they have ended up with a lot of ghost towns because they have put a lot of retail on the outskirts of their towns," he said.

However, Mr Wilson believed the store could have a positive effect on trade in Dumfries.

"I think you will find that at this end of the town people were perhaps leaving and shopping elsewhere," he said. "To try to retain some of that spend in the town can only have a positive benefit."