As I visit people door to door I discover a significant number of people who rarely venture out of their houses.
This is not because they cannot move through their rooms, as they seem perfectly able when they get me a cup of tea (and even a chocolate biscuit). It seems they have lost the habit of venturing outside. Their shopping is brought in by relatives/ friends and their entertainment provided by the TV.
"I haven't been out for five years" was one remark in South Ulverston.
"Why did you let me in?"
"I saw your name in the paper!"
Then on Croftlands:
" The lady next door but one - she's nice - but I haven't seen or spoken to her for two years - I don't go out anymore. " Yet this person used to run a thriving pub only a couple of years ago.
These people haven't got real problems compared with some that suffer with a lot of pain, but it's all in the mind maybe!
An article in the mail recently highlights a course in Ulverston designed to help. It is run by someone who has been down this tunnel and seen the light and come out the other end - coping but not cured.
“When living with a long-term condition, you can get isolated and shut yourself away and don’t answer the phone or the door and it’s very difficult to get out of that."
Marie Blackburn, from Penrith CVS, now co-ordinates a new programme in Ulverston due to start on January 19th.
She said: “I got my life back. The main message that we have to get across is that life is hard for everybody and can be really tough, but having a long-term condition makes it a bit more challenging.”
If you know someone who might be encouraged to get involved, then contact Mrs Blackburn on 01768 868649 or e-mail her at Marieb@cumbriacvs.org.uk
Friday, 9 January 2009
Wednesday, 7 January 2009
Woolies - Tesco
The person locking up last night did not want to reveal who would be moving in but stated it would be in the next fortnight.
Tuesday, 6 January 2009
Tesco - financial background
Here from Wikipedia:
See also Criticism of Tesco
Also the story in Inverness referred to as Tesco Town where it is claimed 51p in £1 spent on food is in a Tesco and an application for a fourth store has been defeated by local councillors 8 to 4 who are concerned about the effect on local shops. How I ask are Morecambe/Heysham getting on with three stores ?
Article in the Guardian - May 2008
"In May 2007 it was revealed that Tesco had moved the head office of its online operations to the tax haven of Switzerland. This allows it to sell CDs, DVDs and electronic games through its web site without charging VAT.[32] The operation had previously been run out of the tax haven of Jersey, but had been closed by authorities who feared damage to the islands' reputation.[32]
In February 2008 a six month investigation by The Guardian revealed that Tesco had developed a complex taxation structure involving offshore bank accounts in the tax haven of the Cayman Islands.[33] Tesco is in the process of selling its UK stores, worth an estimated £6 billion, to Cayman Island based companies set up by Tesco. These companies then lease the stores back to Tesco. At the time The Guardian claimed that this arrangement would enable Tesco to avoid an estimated £1 billion tax on profits from the property sales, and also to avoid paying any tax on continuing operation of the stores, as the rate of corporation tax in the Cayman Islands is zero. Tesco defended this arrangement, saying it has a duty to organise its affairs in a tax-efficient manner, and pointing out that the corporation already pays a lot of tax, including VAT on behalf of its customers, and PAYE and national insurance contributions on behalf of its employees.
Following these revelations, several MPs called for an inquiry into Tesco's tax avoidance schemes.[34]
Tesco issued a libel writ against the Guardian five weeks later. Tesco denied that it had avoided paying £1 billion corporation tax, but refused to answer further questions, or to clarify the purpose of the complex artificial tax structure they had created. Further investigations by the Guardian discovered that the tax structures were aimed at avoiding Stamp Duty Land Tax, and not corporation tax as originally thought. SDLT is leveled at 4%, and corporate tax at around 30%, so the figure of £1 billion tax avoided by Tesco has been revised to an estimated £90-£100 million.[35] According to the Guardian "Tesco has been involved in a game of cat and mouse with HM Revenue & Customs since 2003. On three occasions when the government has closed a loophole to prevent avoidance, Tesco has taken advantage of ingenious schemes to get around it. Tesco still has 36 stores wrapped up in UK limited partnerships - with Cayman Islands registered partners - which were established in 2006 before the latest loophole was closed."[35]
In June 2008 the government announced that it was closing another tax loophole being used by Tesco.[36] The scheme, identified by British magazine Private Eye, utilises offshore holding companies in Luxembourg and partnership agreements to avoid a corporation tax liability of up to £50 million a year.[36] Another scheme previously identified by Private Eye involved depositing £1 billion in a Swiss partnership, and then loaning out that money to overseas Tesco stores, so that profit can be transferred indirectly through interest payments. This scheme is still in operation and is estimated to be costing the UK exchequer up to £20 million a year in corporation tax.[36] Tax expert Richard Murphy has provided an analysis of this avoidance structure.[37] "
See also Criticism of Tesco
Also the story in Inverness referred to as Tesco Town where it is claimed 51p in £1 spent on food is in a Tesco and an application for a fourth store has been defeated by local councillors 8 to 4 who are concerned about the effect on local shops. How I ask are Morecambe/Heysham getting on with three stores ?
Article in the Guardian - May 2008
"In May 2007 it was revealed that Tesco had moved the head office of its online operations to the tax haven of Switzerland. This allows it to sell CDs, DVDs and electronic games through its web site without charging VAT.[32] The operation had previously been run out of the tax haven of Jersey, but had been closed by authorities who feared damage to the islands' reputation.[32]
In February 2008 a six month investigation by The Guardian revealed that Tesco had developed a complex taxation structure involving offshore bank accounts in the tax haven of the Cayman Islands.[33] Tesco is in the process of selling its UK stores, worth an estimated £6 billion, to Cayman Island based companies set up by Tesco. These companies then lease the stores back to Tesco. At the time The Guardian claimed that this arrangement would enable Tesco to avoid an estimated £1 billion tax on profits from the property sales, and also to avoid paying any tax on continuing operation of the stores, as the rate of corporation tax in the Cayman Islands is zero. Tesco defended this arrangement, saying it has a duty to organise its affairs in a tax-efficient manner, and pointing out that the corporation already pays a lot of tax, including VAT on behalf of its customers, and PAYE and national insurance contributions on behalf of its employees.
Following these revelations, several MPs called for an inquiry into Tesco's tax avoidance schemes.[34]
Tesco issued a libel writ against the Guardian five weeks later. Tesco denied that it had avoided paying £1 billion corporation tax, but refused to answer further questions, or to clarify the purpose of the complex artificial tax structure they had created. Further investigations by the Guardian discovered that the tax structures were aimed at avoiding Stamp Duty Land Tax, and not corporation tax as originally thought. SDLT is leveled at 4%, and corporate tax at around 30%, so the figure of £1 billion tax avoided by Tesco has been revised to an estimated £90-£100 million.[35] According to the Guardian "Tesco has been involved in a game of cat and mouse with HM Revenue & Customs since 2003. On three occasions when the government has closed a loophole to prevent avoidance, Tesco has taken advantage of ingenious schemes to get around it. Tesco still has 36 stores wrapped up in UK limited partnerships - with Cayman Islands registered partners - which were established in 2006 before the latest loophole was closed."[35]
In June 2008 the government announced that it was closing another tax loophole being used by Tesco.[36] The scheme, identified by British magazine Private Eye, utilises offshore holding companies in Luxembourg and partnership agreements to avoid a corporation tax liability of up to £50 million a year.[36] Another scheme previously identified by Private Eye involved depositing £1 billion in a Swiss partnership, and then loaning out that money to overseas Tesco stores, so that profit can be transferred indirectly through interest payments. This scheme is still in operation and is estimated to be costing the UK exchequer up to £20 million a year in corporation tax.[36] Tax expert Richard Murphy has provided an analysis of this avoidance structure.[37] "
From the "No to Mill Road Tesco" Campaigners
Hi Geoff
You've obviously found our website so you can read the concerns we have there in some detail.
In planning terms, we were able to stop Tesco largely because of the impact on highway safety and congestion; Tesco make many more deliveries than any other supermarket, and each delivery, lasting for up to 40 minutes, would have effectively blocked Mill Road, causing not only congestion but danger, especially to cyclists.
They are highly aggressive, as you say, and it is a fair bet that if they open, a year down the line you will have fewer small shops still in existence.
Generally, people who say they are in favour of a Tesco Express do so based on the misunderstanding that it will be cheap. In fact, Tesco Express prices are over 20% higher than in their supermarkets. In our own shopping basket comparison, their prices were also higher than those in the existing independent traders on Mill Road.
Good luck and best wishes,
You've obviously found our website so you can read the concerns we have there in some detail.
In planning terms, we were able to stop Tesco largely because of the impact on highway safety and congestion; Tesco make many more deliveries than any other supermarket, and each delivery, lasting for up to 40 minutes, would have effectively blocked Mill Road, causing not only congestion but danger, especially to cyclists.
They are highly aggressive, as you say, and it is a fair bet that if they open, a year down the line you will have fewer small shops still in existence.
Generally, people who say they are in favour of a Tesco Express do so based on the misunderstanding that it will be cheap. In fact, Tesco Express prices are over 20% higher than in their supermarkets. In our own shopping basket comparison, their prices were also higher than those in the existing independent traders on Mill Road.
Good luck and best wishes,
Tesco - Some very helpful thoughts
Someone has sent in the following excellent analysis. Comments from the Mill Road Campaigners have been added in red.
What do you think?
Tesco
Pros
• When Tesco opened in Bowness, it showed signs of wanting to create goodwill in the local community by donating money to support local groups (it’s not exactly known for its generosity though, and this was only £500).
• Could draw more people into the town and support other businesses that way
• Saves people who shop at Tesco already a trip to Barrow – better for the environment and keeps money circulating locally.
No, that's precisely what Tesco doesn't do. Money spent in Tesco goes to their Head Office. Independent retailers keep the money local. The stats are somewhere on our website (!)
• May draw people from the outskirts (such as Swarthmoor) who now go to Barrow to shop back into Ulverston.
• Jobs (unless other local businesses are squeezed out)
Unlikely to be any doubt about that, unfortunately, and the jobs on offer are likely to be part-time and low-paid.
• Cheaper goods available for hard-up locals
see my initial comments (likely to be 20% higher than Tesco Barrow). Express stores are not cheap!
• Provides competition for local shops – they’ll have to up their game somehow, which could have a positive effect.
• Ulverstonians need to be able to buy everyday necessities locally and at reasonable prices. This is becoming very difficult now Woolworths is gone. Local suppliers such as Pellymounters charge extremely high prices (possibly due to a lack of competitors) provoking townspeople to drive all the way to Barrow and back just to get simple goods at prices they can afford. Personally, I am forced to shop via the internet more and more. This all means less of our money is staying in the town and there are fewer jobs locally. If the new Tesco store sells similar goods to Woolworths (as opposed to merely foodstuffs), this may well be just what we need.
Cons
• Where will everyone park? Could cause traffic chaos. Or are there ways in which they could develop more parking space? Where might that be?
• Will need to be supplied – more lorries coming into the town centre.
• Will it put other businesses at risk? Direct competitors locally are Booths, Co-op, newsagents, butchers, bakeries, delicatessen, the indoor market. Other competitors – depends on whether the store will sell mainly foodstuffs or other items as well.
• Tesco doesn’t sell or promote locally produced goods (unlike Booths, which does).
• Doesn’t make the local high street look attractive or unique – a selling point for Ulverston. Might be bad for tourism.
• Will Tesco do a Bargain Booze and buy up adjacent shops, becoming larger and larger? Bargain Booze uglifies the street and causes parking problems, Tesco may prove even worse in that regard.
• Tesco is not known for its business ethics (unlike Co-op and Booths). Should such an unethical business be encouraged?
• What about our status as Fairtrade town?
• What about the possibility we have at the moment of marketing Ulverston as an alternative to clone towns, as a place where you can still get quality, where people can come for an alternative shopping experience?
Questions
• Will they be allowed to expand if they want to?
• What kind of Tesco will it be? Express? Mainly foodstuffs or a mix of food and other goods? This is something that could possibly be controlled by changing the planning permission so that they are only allowed to sell foodstuffs. However, the town really needs somewhere to buy the kind of goods that were stocked by Woolworths, otherwise people will have to go to Barrow just to buy the odd pot or pan.
What do you think?
Tesco
Pros
• When Tesco opened in Bowness, it showed signs of wanting to create goodwill in the local community by donating money to support local groups (it’s not exactly known for its generosity though, and this was only £500).
• Could draw more people into the town and support other businesses that way
• Saves people who shop at Tesco already a trip to Barrow – better for the environment and keeps money circulating locally.
No, that's precisely what Tesco doesn't do. Money spent in Tesco goes to their Head Office. Independent retailers keep the money local. The stats are somewhere on our website (!)
• May draw people from the outskirts (such as Swarthmoor) who now go to Barrow to shop back into Ulverston.
• Jobs (unless other local businesses are squeezed out)
Unlikely to be any doubt about that, unfortunately, and the jobs on offer are likely to be part-time and low-paid.
• Cheaper goods available for hard-up locals
see my initial comments (likely to be 20% higher than Tesco Barrow). Express stores are not cheap!
• Provides competition for local shops – they’ll have to up their game somehow, which could have a positive effect.
• Ulverstonians need to be able to buy everyday necessities locally and at reasonable prices. This is becoming very difficult now Woolworths is gone. Local suppliers such as Pellymounters charge extremely high prices (possibly due to a lack of competitors) provoking townspeople to drive all the way to Barrow and back just to get simple goods at prices they can afford. Personally, I am forced to shop via the internet more and more. This all means less of our money is staying in the town and there are fewer jobs locally. If the new Tesco store sells similar goods to Woolworths (as opposed to merely foodstuffs), this may well be just what we need.
Cons
• Where will everyone park? Could cause traffic chaos. Or are there ways in which they could develop more parking space? Where might that be?
• Will need to be supplied – more lorries coming into the town centre.
• Will it put other businesses at risk? Direct competitors locally are Booths, Co-op, newsagents, butchers, bakeries, delicatessen, the indoor market. Other competitors – depends on whether the store will sell mainly foodstuffs or other items as well.
• Tesco doesn’t sell or promote locally produced goods (unlike Booths, which does).
• Doesn’t make the local high street look attractive or unique – a selling point for Ulverston. Might be bad for tourism.
• Will Tesco do a Bargain Booze and buy up adjacent shops, becoming larger and larger? Bargain Booze uglifies the street and causes parking problems, Tesco may prove even worse in that regard.
• Tesco is not known for its business ethics (unlike Co-op and Booths). Should such an unethical business be encouraged?
• What about our status as Fairtrade town?
• What about the possibility we have at the moment of marketing Ulverston as an alternative to clone towns, as a place where you can still get quality, where people can come for an alternative shopping experience?
Questions
• Will they be allowed to expand if they want to?
• What kind of Tesco will it be? Express? Mainly foodstuffs or a mix of food and other goods? This is something that could possibly be controlled by changing the planning permission so that they are only allowed to sell foodstuffs. However, the town really needs somewhere to buy the kind of goods that were stocked by Woolworths, otherwise people will have to go to Barrow just to buy the odd pot or pan.
Sunday, 4 January 2009
Absolute outrage at Israel's actions
As I hear the news this morning, my feelings lead me to have to do something.
This is an outlet.
I only hope that Andrew Marr's interview with Brown reveals some ray of hope for action from Britain.
Is Obama going to express a view?
It did not. Gordon Brown is totally off track , it seems to me.
Does Britain really believe that Hamas will ever stop firing rockets and fighting Israel while they treat Palestinians - the original owners of the land - like animals with no dignity. A caged lion will fight to the death.
The call for a ceasefire is a mockery if it ignores assurances to the Palestinians that there is hope for them in the future.
While there is trouble in the Middle East, we can expect trouble here.
We need a long term policy of removal of support for Israel by both The States and Britain for us to avoid sinking towards the police state that is looming.
This is an outlet.
I only hope that Andrew Marr's interview with Brown reveals some ray of hope for action from Britain.
Is Obama going to express a view?
It did not. Gordon Brown is totally off track , it seems to me.
Does Britain really believe that Hamas will ever stop firing rockets and fighting Israel while they treat Palestinians - the original owners of the land - like animals with no dignity. A caged lion will fight to the death.
The call for a ceasefire is a mockery if it ignores assurances to the Palestinians that there is hope for them in the future.
While there is trouble in the Middle East, we can expect trouble here.
We need a long term policy of removal of support for Israel by both The States and Britain for us to avoid sinking towards the police state that is looming.
Saturday, 3 January 2009
Beware - a police state ?
Buses come in threes . . .
From The Guardian:
" Private firm may track all email and calls
'Hellhouse' of personal data will be created, warns former Director of Public Prosecutions "
- a consultation paper to be published next month by Jacqui Smith, the home secretary.
With policies like this: how does Labour ever hope to get re-elected ?
It shocks me that the idea even crossed their minds.
Does anyone agree with this idea?
I'd rather fear a terrorist than Big Brother.
"External estimates of the cost of the superdatabase have been put as high as £12bn, twice the cost of the ID cards scheme, and the consultation paper, to be published towards the end of next month, will include an option of putting it into the hands of the private sector in an effort to cut costs."
Policies like this can sound very rational at the time yet in practice they can be completely different.
In practice they are always carried out by fallible humans sometimes uncaring, unthinking and even corrupt.
Recently a mother did the 'right thing' by reporting to the police that she had found a gun in her autistic son's bedroom. He was being victimised and pressured by a local gang into hiding their gun for them.
The police's irrational, thoughtless actions have now ruined this vulnerable young man's and his responsible mother's life for ever. A caring family has been torn apart.
It could happen to you with this kind of blind trust in 'the government' to take care of us.
We need more control over 'Big Brother' not less.
We are increasingly surrendering our powers to 'authorities', local government, bureaucrats, with dire consequences.
From The Guardian:
" Private firm may track all email and calls
'Hellhouse' of personal data will be created, warns former Director of Public Prosecutions "
- a consultation paper to be published next month by Jacqui Smith, the home secretary.
With policies like this: how does Labour ever hope to get re-elected ?
It shocks me that the idea even crossed their minds.
Does anyone agree with this idea?
I'd rather fear a terrorist than Big Brother.
"External estimates of the cost of the superdatabase have been put as high as £12bn, twice the cost of the ID cards scheme, and the consultation paper, to be published towards the end of next month, will include an option of putting it into the hands of the private sector in an effort to cut costs."
Policies like this can sound very rational at the time yet in practice they can be completely different.
In practice they are always carried out by fallible humans sometimes uncaring, unthinking and even corrupt.
Recently a mother did the 'right thing' by reporting to the police that she had found a gun in her autistic son's bedroom. He was being victimised and pressured by a local gang into hiding their gun for them.
The police's irrational, thoughtless actions have now ruined this vulnerable young man's and his responsible mother's life for ever. A caring family has been torn apart.
It could happen to you with this kind of blind trust in 'the government' to take care of us.
We need more control over 'Big Brother' not less.
We are increasingly surrendering our powers to 'authorities', local government, bureaucrats, with dire consequences.
The Palestine conflict
My sympathies are with the Palestinians.
The behaviour of Hamas is that of a desperate people struggling for survival against an uncaring invasive Israel.
As seen from the Arab viewpoint, until there is a glimmer of hope for a better future then outright aggressive defense is seen as the only option.
Israel's aggression will never bring about a peaceful solution. There are too many wrongs in the past that cannot be laid to rest without Israel giving ground in a big way. Something they show no sign of doing. They have to learn that military superiority is not everything when dealing with a people with little to live for.
In no way should this be translated to this country in a conflict between Moslems and Jews. Many Jews in this country are doing everything they can on behalf of the Palestinians.
The protests in this country should be supported but they must be directed against the country of Isreal and not against the Jewish religion by a lynch mob mentality that could be encouraged by the BNP.
What will Obama's response be?
How will it contrast with that of Bush?
The behaviour of Hamas is that of a desperate people struggling for survival against an uncaring invasive Israel.
As seen from the Arab viewpoint, until there is a glimmer of hope for a better future then outright aggressive defense is seen as the only option.
Israel's aggression will never bring about a peaceful solution. There are too many wrongs in the past that cannot be laid to rest without Israel giving ground in a big way. Something they show no sign of doing. They have to learn that military superiority is not everything when dealing with a people with little to live for.
In no way should this be translated to this country in a conflict between Moslems and Jews. Many Jews in this country are doing everything they can on behalf of the Palestinians.
The protests in this country should be supported but they must be directed against the country of Isreal and not against the Jewish religion by a lynch mob mentality that could be encouraged by the BNP.
What will Obama's response be?
How will it contrast with that of Bush?
Friday, 2 January 2009
Woolworth move out - Tesco move in
This may or may not be good for the town.
Tesco do not come with the best of reputations. . .
Here local people are concerned about the loss of business to small shops.
On the other hand a large store in the town centre will attract shoppers that would otherwise go to Barrow.
Small shops can then offer specialised and personal service.
Some feel that the local shopkeepers are unimaginative with their opening hours.
Tesco prices are not favourable.
Small shops can often be cheaper with good friendly service included - something the uncaring, low paid and ignorant staff of large stores can't compete with.
Compare Smith and Harrisons with Homebase and B & Q in Barrow - there is no question which to use!
Our big problem is parking in Ulverston something our Town Council should be tackling and is avoiding.
Access for Tesco will be the main problem which is why there was such an energetic opposition elsewhere.
Here is the web site of a campaigning group!
Protests also took place in Wales to the opening of a new store:
Farmers are concerned about their practices.
Tesco can be a ruthless organisation and if I remember correctly avoid paying tax on their profits with an offshore fiddle.
We shall be researching their likely movements in Ulverston and report back.
Thursday, 1 January 2009
News at your fingertips !
As the new site at Ulverstonuk.co.uk expands page by page we now have:
News from four sources readily available.
A summary of Ulverston's Festivals
News from four sources readily available.
A summary of Ulverston's Festivals
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