A rocket for Tesco and ASDA!

Rocket Firework

Tesco and ASDA supermarkets have come in for strong criticism following their less than positive response, or in ASDA's case a complete lack of response to a letter from the Council asking for their support for the 'Good Guy Scheme'.

The scheme is designed to reduce the annual firework menace; instead of people facing months of torment from fireworks in the run up to bonfire night and for weeks after, shops are asked to agree to only sell fireworks for a short period before and after 5 November.

As of 10 October, 17 businesses in Rochdale, Heywood and Middleton had signed up for the scheme, including large retailers such as Morrison's, Lidl and All-In-One Garden Centre, however, reporting back to the Council, Leader Alan Taylor revealed that ASDA have not even bothered to reply to his letter, "as usual"! Tesco replied and more or less said that "the colour scheme of the Council posters did not fit in with their corporate brand!"

Councillor Taylor was scathing in his condemnation accusing both supermarkets of being more interested in profits. He said: "I am unhappy that some of the main supermarkets in this Borough are not setting an example to small businesses. How can we expect all small businesses trying to responsibly sell fireworks in this Borough to do so? I find ASDA and Tesco's attitude arrogant and out of touch, and feel they have profits in mind, instead of the people of this Borough. They still have time to join the scheme and I would advise them to show a commitment to us by doing so.