A Call for Urgent Redevelopment

14th January 2025 – Dear Tesco Customer Services, Steve & Jon

The State of Tesco Extra, Irlam – A Call for Urgent Redevelopment

I am writing to express my deep dissatisfaction with the Tesco Extra store in Irlam, located on Fairhills Industrial Estate. Having served the community since the 1970s, this store has failed to evolve with the times, leaving it outdated, uninspiring, and ultimately detrimental to the local area.

The birth of the internet has revolutionised how people shop, yet this store remains stagnant, a relic of a bygone era that fails to meet modern expectations. 

The oversized structure, poorly utilised spaces, and overall lack of vision, leave a stark impression: Tesco Extra Irlam is out of touch and poorly managed. This is not just a matter of aesthetics—it’s a direct reflection of the lack of care and investment in the community.

Specific areas of my new concerns include:

1. Uninspiring Environment: The store is dull, outdated, and uninviting. It lacks the creativity or modernisation necessary to draw customers in or make their shopping experience enjoyable.

2. Poorly Managed: It’s evident from reviews, word of mouth, and my personal experience that staff morale and training need significant improvement. Customers are often left feeling unwelcome and disregarded, as though their presence is a burden. Nobody bothers to reply or acknowledge the customer online. ?

3. Surveillance Culture: Rather than fostering a welcoming environment, the store’s heavy reliance on CCTV gives the impression that customers are viewed with suspicion. This atmosphere is not conducive to a positive shopping experience.

4. Neglect of Local Impact: The store’s lack of adaptation since its construction has had a negative impact on the local area. Its dominance and refusal to innovate have contributed to the decline of small businesses, which are essential to the community fabric.

This store is not only outdated but also damaging. Its failure to modernise, inspire, or even welcome customers leaves a stain on Tesco’s reputation in Irlam. 

A redevelopment is not just desirable—it’s essential. Tesco must acknowledge its role in shaping the communities it serves and invest in creating a store that reflects the needs and aspirations of its customers.

If you are unsure about the current state of the store, I urge you to review your CCTV footage. Observe the interactions, the layout, and the overall atmosphere, and you will see for yourself how uninviting and poorly managed this store has become.

The people of Irlam deserve better. Tesco has the resources and responsibility to transform this failing store into a space that serves, inspires, and respects the community. 

I urge you to take immediate action to address these issues and bring this store into the modern era.

I await your response.

Yours faithfully,

David Neil Bromley Grant