Below are some useful documents on the impact of large supermarket on small towns, but first, a TV documentary that shows how heavy handed Tesco can be to get what they want, and how successful they can be at defeating their competition. They promise the earth with a highly professional PR team, but does it really work out as promised? Anyone who is expecting Machynlleth to be enhanced from the presence of Tesco should watch it.

• Market town report - This is a summary of a report for the government on The Impact of Large Foodstores on Market Towns and District Centres: It is authoritative and documents to devastating effect that a large store on the edge of a market town like ours can have on the rest of that town and the surrounding area. This must not happen to Machynlleth.
• Calling the shots: How supermarkets get their way in planning decisions — Friends of the Earth briefing paper
• Provisional decision 16 July 2009 by the Competition Commission on town centres, planning and supermarkets
• Town centres, planning and supermarkets - 16 July 2009 - again from the Competition Commission over the debate over the way that the planning system should protect retailers in the town centre by restricting supermarkets
• Tesco appeal decision Sheringham - why the planners turned down Tesco’s appeal against their decision to build a store there.