Tesco drops opening day clanger

Welshpool went Tesco-crazy this morning when the town’s £37 million store opened, but the company has been accused of having a “disregard for the local population” following an opening day gaff.

 

Welsh speakers say they have been given the cold shoulder by the supermarket giant after promotional material was printed in English only, prompting the Welsh Language Society to say “they are only interested in making money”.

 

The Society says it will contact the new store for an explanation after being informed that disappointed Welsh speakers had received their welcoming materials and shopping vouchers through the post in one language.

 

“It is very disappointing and a massive ongoing concern for the Welsh language,” said Dafydd Morgan Lewis, Campaigns Officer for the Welsh Language Society. “We are conducting a campaign nationally to encourage supermarkets to adopt a full bilingual policy. It is a disregard to the local community and shows that they are only interested in making money.

 

“Tesco is a big global company so we at least expect them to acknowledge that they are in Wales.”

 

Inside the store though, both Welsh and English is used in equal measures and it appears that the gaff is an oversight during what has been a hectic time.

 

A Tesco spokesperson said: “Our policy is to use bi-lingual language in our marketing. Unfortunately some of the communication that has gone out for Welshpool isn't. Going forward, our local flyers etc in Welshpool will be bilingual and hopefully this won't detract from the great store we have brought to the local community.”

 

But the store certainly appeared to have been well received. Welshpool pounds were being spent at a rate of thousands per minute and systems were running smoothly as shoppers left with a collective thumbs-up.

 

Local dignitaries showed their support by turning up en masse for the official launch (right) when Town Mayor Estelle Bleivas was joined by fellow town councillors and Montgomeryshire MP, Glyn Davies to cut the ribbon.

 

“This is a fantastic development for the town which will hopefully stop the drain of money from Welshpool to towns like Shrewsbury and Oswestry,” said Mr Davies, while Mayor Bleivas called it “wonderful”.

 

Store manager Linda McGill marked the opening by handing a cheque for £1,000 to the TJ Evans Trust Charity which provides and maintains low cost sheltered housing for residents over 60.

 

Shoppers seemed genuinely impressed by the store’s food selection while it will also provide a wide selection of non-food items including clothing, health and beauty, home entertainment, electricals, toys, stationary, homeware, cookware as well as mobile phones.

 

The store’s regular opening hours will be 6am Monday until midnight Saturday. Sunday hours will be 10-4pm.