Politics: Competition in business benefits local communities
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Like many, I welcomed Aldi’s plans to open a store in Macduff.
There is a real need for affordable food and goods in the town, of which, would also benefit residents in Banff and the surrounding areas.
I know Tesco and the Co-op had urged Aberdeenshire Council to reject the plans, arguing that an Aldi store would “cause significant harm” to themselves and local businesses.
For me, and most residents in Banff and Macduff as well, I welcomed the opportunity to increase the choice local residents would have in being able to actually purchase affordable food.
How the Co-op and Tesco would seek to undermine Aldi’s application is incredibly disappointing to me.
The £3.3million proposed investment and the creation of 35 jobs is badly needed during this cost of living crisis.
I cannot emphasise enough the real human impact that the cost of living crisis is having on people and families. My inbox is inundated with people seeking help and support every week, it is what has been keeping me and my staff team so busy as we battle rising energy prices, record inflation levels and increasing costs of food.
It is why I have worked on drafting a comprehensive cost of living support guide that is set to go out to every household in Banffshire and Buchan Coast in the coming months.
In terms of the points highlighted about local businesses – the creation of 35 more jobs and further development of the town would contribute toward the regeneration of Macduff, and it could actually have a positive impact on local traders when there happens to be increased employment in the area that pays the real living wage, like Aldi do. More people earning means more people spending.
Competition between businesses will always benefit the people living locally by offering more choice in terms of quality and most importantly, at this time, affordability – but of course – we should always support our local businesses as much as we can.
We know that money spent local stays local. Roughly 63p of every £1 spent at small or medium-sized businesses stays in the local economy, compared with just 40p at large businesses so it is important to have a varied balance.
I understand that Aldi are currently reviewing the situation after they stated they were left “extremely disappointed” by the legal blow from Tesco.
The lack of supermarket choice in Macduff and the neighbouring town of Banff has long been complained about by residents in the area.
This was laid bare when hundreds of people took part in the public consultation asking for public opinion on Aldi’s plans back in the summer of 2021.
The proposals were given the stamp of approval with unprecedented levels of support from respondents to the consultation. There were 708 positive responses which equated to 98.3 per cent of all who participated in having their say.
Although the legal process and planning dispute is something a MSP is not able to intervene on – there are things I can do to help people and families within my remit as your local MSP.
I have deeply routed myself as a MSP who is firmly accessible in the community and on-hand to help people in Banffshire and Buchan Coast.
Since being elected as your MSP for the first time in 2021, I have literally been able to help thousands of people who have been in touch with me seeking support on issues they are experiencing, particularly during this cost of living crisis.
So, please get in touch with me if there is anything at all I may be able to help with, there is no harm in asking.
Email me at Karen.Adam.MSP@parliament.scot, or contact my office team on 07826 548813.
