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Letter to The Editor – for publication in Andover Advertiser Dear Sir Job Promises by Tesco for Andover Airfield – for 2,000 read 450 No-one likes the thought of losing their job at any time of year, especially not at Christmas. For all those who are in this uncertain position, as reported in last week’s newspaper, my heartfelt sympathies. However, as the leader column and front page news last week suggested that much hangs on the jobs promised by the Goodman/Tesco MEGAshed development at the Airfield to fill this potential employment gap, I would like to share a viewpoint informed by insider and expert knowledge. 2,000 jobs to be created for the total site say Goodman. However, the number of jobs for the MEGAshed part of the site, Phase 1, has now been confirmed by Tesco as only 900. The other promised 1,100 jobs will come from Phases 2 and 3 which even Goodman themselves acknowledge are unlikely to be built. Once a MEGAshed is built on the Airfield no other kind of business will go anywhere near it – other than more MEGAsheds – and yes Mr Tyrrell that does mean around 2,000 HGVs every 24 hours, or 1 a minute – and that is just the Tesco traffic. There will be significant numbers of supplier vehicles too. Of that promised 900 jobs, how many will go to local people? In reality, not many. Why? There are three clear reasons. 1. Senior and experienced staff will come from the distribution depots that will close if the Andover MEGAshed gets the go-ahead – staff at Weybridge were alerted months ago that they will have to move. Staff at Nursling and Magor have also been informed about this potential new location. 2. The MEGAshed will be a COST centre to TESCO, so costs will be kept as low as possible by employing agency staff – easy to hire and fire at will and at low wages, many bussed in from outside the area. This is the reality at other TESCO distribution centres. 3. At another recently opened TESCO MEGAshed, the same size as the one proposed for Andover, the company promised 1,200 jobs in their application, then revised that down to 900. Now open, it employs just 450 over 3 shifts – 150 each shift. Andover needs new companies and new jobs. Of course it does. But it does not need a MEGAshed with its low employment density – a mixed business park would bring twice as many jobs for the same number of square metres. Nor does Andover need the kind of jobs it brings. A quick ring round to local employment agencies confirms that currently there are 1,000 unfilled vacancies on their books, the same kind of low wage, less skilled job that most people in Andover do not want – especially the younger generation who want to be inspired, have real career prospects and would like to work locally. A MEGAshed with its constant 24 hour day and night operation of goods in/goods out, polluting and congesting Andover and north-west Hampshire is not what this town needs, now or in the future. Andover deserves much better than that. Yours sincerely Rhonda Smith STOP! Alliance |
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