Local provision for local community
Our proposed new store, on land east of the industrial link road in East-the-Water, will offer the local community more choice within the area, helping to better serve the needs of the community and encouraging shoppers to stay in Bideford. The new store will have 25,000sq ft of retail space with 151 parking spaces (slightly larger than the Tesco store at Ilfracombe) with on-site recycling facilities. We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint by 50% and by providing a store close to you, we will help reduce your travelling and therefore your carbon footprint too. We are also keen to be good neighbours and get involved in the local community by supporting local projects, activities and events.
Local jobs for local people
Our new store will be providing up to 180 new jobs and we will be employing as many local people as possible. Both full and part-time positions will be available, so that local people can work hours to suit their needs. Potential recruits are offered a six-week training course preparing them for working in our store and will be chosen on their aptitude and not just their existing qualifications. We will be working with Jobcentre Plus, Connexions and other local employment agencies.
Local food from local producers
We take pride in offering customers a choice - not only on where to shop but on having a wide variety of products to choose from. We source as much local produce as possible and the new Bideford store will provide local Devon milk, Devon fresh and pre-packed fish, Devon eggs, Devon water, Devon jams and chutneys, Devon cheese, Devon meat and bacon, Devon beers and cider, Devon ice cream and clotted cream, Devon chocolate and many other local products. For Tesco the Westcountry now leads the way with more than 170 products from the region. Our meat counter is all sourced from Westcountry farms. Tarka Springs, a natural mineral water company based in Barnstaple is one of our many local successes, out selling our popular Scottish branded water.
The local environment
Care of the environment is important to us all which is why we actively encourage re-use of plastic bags and now offer our ‘bags for life’ and ‘green’ clubcard points. When the new store is built we will be retaining historic hedges along the site boundaries, as well as planting new trees and shrubs to strengthen the existing vegetation. The proposed building will be set-down within the landscape helping to soften it within its surroundings. The store will be built using sustainable methods such as photovoltaic and solar panels and will also be using local materials wherever possible including stone from Beam Quarry.Wildlife corridors will also be maintained for species such as badgers.
From big steps, like aiming to halve energy use in 2008, right through to small details like using one label instead of two on our clothes, we are trying to make a difference. And we want to make it easier for our customers to do the same by offering greener, more sustainable choices.
Here are some of the things we’ll continue doing to help the environment:
- Building our stores using eco-friendly methods and sustainable materials. By the end of 2008, we aim to halve the amount of energy we used in UK stores in 2000.
- Using low-energy light fittings, energy-efficient ovens, refrigeration and air conditioning. Where possible we’ll use modern glazing to make the most of daylight in our stores.
- By 2010 we aim to reduce packaging on both own-label and branded goods by 25%.
- Collecting paper, cardboard and plastic from all our stores so we can recycle 71% of our waste. We hope to reach our target of 80% in 2008.
- As previously mentioned - giving extra clubcard points to all our customers who re-use their carrier bags. We’d like to reduce plastic bag use by 25% in 2008.
- Using 50% biodiesel in all our delivery lorries – and doing our best to cut down on the number of our lorries on the road.
- Halving the price of energy-efficient light bulbs. Saving you money and helping tackle climate change.
To find out more and to see how you can help look after the environment, visit www.tesco.com/greenerliving.
Talking Tesco
Opening new stores http://www.tesco.com/talkingtesco/stores/. High Streets and convenience http://www.tesco.com/talkingtesco/highStreet/
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