Neil Shadbolt has put in a report on what’s happened to the local food shops since the new ASDA has opened.  If anyone else wants to write a guest post then please email me on james@bridgeward.org.uk

It is some 6-8 weeks since the Stoke Park Asda store opened at Stoke Park, so I thought it time to look at its immediate effect.

Over to Neil:

Mcolls Newsagent & Off-Licence, Stoke Park:

The newly built store which replaced a demolished petrol station a few years ago has well served the local community.

The branch has suffered to a certain extent but is still being patronized by residents despite it being a few yards from ASDA.

East of England Co-op Food Store, Prince of Wales Drive:

Situated about a half mile from the ASDA store, it has turned changed from a profit to loss making centre.

Local Sub Post Office, Maidenhall Green:

I do not know of the general effect on this small store, which mainly provides confectionay and cigarettes as well as a bit of groceries and stationery, althogh I would think it marginal.

Premier Newsagents and Food Store:

This is one of my local stores about one mile from ASDA.

It is family owned and is one of about four branches situated in Ipswich.

I have noticed a few recent gaps in the shelves of basic products such as bread, eggs and milk recently.

This does not auger well for the future of the branch.

However the real sign will be if one notices a distinct shortage of cigarettes and tobacco on the shelves, which has not been the case thus far.

East of England Co-op Foodstore: – Austin/Vernon Street:

Being just around the corner from Premier, this is my local Co-op.

This was the first Ipswich Industrial Co-operative Society Food store to open, predominantly to serve the dockers and other workers, in the lated 1800s.

The branch received a much needed facelift a few years back from which has definitely benefitted.

Although having lost an average of £1500.00 turnover per week since the new ASDA opened, it stll continues to trade profitably.

I believe it will continue to do so when you consider it is the only decent foodstore within relatively easy reach of people living up to a mile away down the Wherstead Road as far a Bourne Bridge.

Turkish Shop, Austin Street/Vernon Street:

This store opened up in what used to be a Video Hire shop a few years ago and prdoiminently services some of the local ethnic communities.

The owner was in the process of opening a Pound Shop a few doors down, but has now given this up because of declining trade in the area.

He has recently told me that the shop is only just breaking even, whereas it was profitable before ASDA opened.

Happy Shopper Local Corner Shop, Station Street/Webb Street:

This store was opened about 12 years ago in what was a derelict bakers.

It has traded reasonably successfully over the years and seems to continue to do so.

Other information will be provided when available.