Measham, Derbyshire

Yesterday the BBC reported that the big 4 supermarket chains - Tesco, Asda, Sainsburys and Morrisons are "facing a full investigation" regarding their highstreet presence.

Measham is a small, friendly village with a mixture of old and new housing and a main shopping street. It seems to be packed with at least two of everything when it comes to shops.

Two hairdressers, estate agents, and lots of "mini marts":

7.40am
Co-op at the bottom end of the street. They have parking at the rear but I've never been in. Think I'm too lazy to drive(!) that extra 200 yards.

After this some of the photos get a bit blurred because I'm driving up the rise over speed bumps - shouldn't have done it but there wasn't any other traffic and I was travelling at about 10 mph...and I didn't have to do my makeup. Well, not this morning anyway.















"Corner shop" but no parking but lots of school children so must be busy on sweets in the morning and after school.

















This one is ON a speed bump - Tesco "Express" - one of the big 4 in question. The busiest shop and lots of parking - even got two sets of double yellow lines at the side for good measure but locals seem to "park" their cars on the pavement at the front of the shop instead of at the back on the car park (maybe because it's closer that way?) It's got a cash machine at the side that causes people to park on the double-double yellow lines - they widened the road which already had double yellow lines down it and then painted another set on the new edge as well. But it doesn't make any difference (maybe two cancel each other out).

















Another one - been in once at the weekend but no parking - think it might be struggling?
















Of them all the one that appears to "dominate" is a Tesco shop. Wondering why it is? Is it the easy parking? The Co-op has parking but it's not in the "centre" of the street but then it is easy to get to. Is it because there's a Tesco supermarket in Ashby and people feel comfortable buying the things that have familiar labels on the shelves? Answers on a postcard please - or the comments.

By the way - my blog time is way out - anybody know how to set it to the UK?