Checkout Chuckout!

A DIY guide to stopping supermarket developments
Corporate Watch/Grassroots Action on Food and Farming
Revised and updated December 2005

1. Supermarket Sweep: Corporate concentration in food retailing
2. Power in the Food System: The impact of supermarkets on smaller retailers and suppliers
3. Building your Case: Addressing the supermarket's claims for the likely benefits of a new store to your town...
   
   • Supermarkets damage local economies
   • 'Ghost Town' Britain
   • Edge of town centre sites 'spin away' rather than 'spin off'
   • 'Ghost Town' effect in action
   • Loss of distinctiveness: The Clone Town effect
   • Loss of essential services: Post Offices
   • Loss of essential services : car parks and access to public transport
   • Loss of public and community space
   • Regenerating rundown inner cities?
   • Creating jobs?
   • Generating traffic
4. Supermarkets and the Planning System
   
   • Understanding the planning system
   • Curbing the growth of out-of-town supermarkets
   • The supermarket's response
   • The UK government and planning legislation
   • National planning policy continues to support major retail development
   • Putting pressure on local councils
   • Planning gain-legitimate bribery!
5. Step by Step Guide to Launching your Campaign
   
   • Step by step guide
   • Direct action
   • Dealing with a diversity of views
   • Boycotting supermarkets?
6. Directory of Local Campaigns
7. Useful Contacts
   
   • Information on the planning system
   • General advice for campaigning against supermarket developments
   • Further information on supermarkets and the alternatives
   • Planning advice
   • Legal advice
8. Resources
   
   • Useful books and reports
   • Great websites

Over the past thirty years there has been a dramatic and unchecked growth in the power of the supermarkets. The big supermarket chains now wield a huge influence over our lives - economically, socially, environmentally and culturally. They say they provide what consumers want - quick access to a wide choice of goods at low prices, but this frequently seems to run counter to the public interest, actually damaging local communities, local economies and the environment.

Although the supermarkets appear big and powerful with friends in all the right places, armed with some knowledge of planning and campaigning tactics it is possible to take them on, and win!

As more and more people are deciding to take action against the corporate takeover of their communities by the big supermarkets we've updated our popular guide (originally published in 1998) to stopping supermarket developments. The guide gives an overview of what happens when a big supermarket threatens to move into your town - the impact they are likely to have on the local economy and the community and the tools and inspiration that you can use to oppose them.

The guide also has a directory of campaign groups, it is not definitive, but gives details of a selection of past, present, successful and not so successful local campaigns. All the contacts listed are happy to share experiences and discuss strategies/tactics with other local groups campaigning against supermarkets. From Hammersmith[1] to Norwich[2] local communities have won out against the might of supermarkets: campaigning groups have a great deal to share with each other. There is also an extensive resource list.

References
[1] Mira Bar-Hillel And Charlie Parker 'Redgrave turns wrath on new Tesco store' Evening Standard 8th September 2004

[2] See website 'Say No To Tesco on Unthank Road!' www.stopunthanktesco.com