TESCO VICTORY OVER COMPETITION COMMISSION DISAPPOINTING - WILLIAMS

12.32.27pm GMT Mon 23rd Mar 2009

Roger Williams, MP for Brecon and Radnorshire and Liberal Democrat Food and Rural Affairs spokesperson, has described the announcement that an appeal by Tesco against the Competition Commission's plan to ban supermarket chains from opening new stores where their market share is already too large has been upheld, as disappointing.

Mr Williams said:

"This announcement is very discouraging.

"When the Competition Commission discusses this decision and possible next steps I hope that they will not back away from this fight.

"Tesco already control over 30% of the UK food market and this decision is a bitter blow to those people who want to see diversity and variety in town centres across the UK.

"Within my constituency there are proposals to site a Tesco in Ystradgynlais. This proposed development would be within 8minutes drive of another Tesco store and would fail the Competition Commission's 'competition test'.

"This decision will be of concern to those who oppose the proposed development."