HOPcat,

I think everyone welcomes quality local independents like Jumping Bean and Neroli. I think it is instructive that their business is in no way threatened by an emerging Sainsburys Local - which can hardly be called a quite large supermarket BTW. If their business are to be affected at all, it is only likely to be positive.

Yes, some existing businesses will, if things stay largely as they are, be impacted by the arrival of Sainsburys. But consider this - if the shop you describe, and we all wish for, already existed, would you consider the arrival of Sainsburys to be a threat to it or a boon? I, for one, would continue to shop at the independent - both it and the the supermarket can coexist if they are well run.

I would argue that the only reason any businesses could be adversely affected is if they are either not supplying what the local market, ie customers, really want or they are not doing so in an efficient manner. As it happens, I think that at least 2 businesses that some would consider threatened are in an ideal position to capitalise on this development if they are only prepared to develop their business model.

As for the lease rates issue, these are already going up anyway and will do so owing to factors quite outside of Sainsburys coming or not, e.g. changes to the local demographic. Also, it is quite interesting to note the existing businesses that have a competitive advantage by owning the freehold!

I am sorry if there are people worried about the nuisance of living above a shop, but am a little suspect that anyone should expect that to be a quiet location anyway. (No I don't live above a shop now but yes I have done in the past.)

Am very glad that these issues are being aired and debated - sincere thanks for that.