Mixed reaction as some save on weekly shopping

CUSTOMERS:THE AIR was blue to match the balloons as drivers circled the Wine Street car park outside Tesco in Sligo yesterday cursing the rain and the scarcity of spaces.

For once, there were other things to complain about apart from the cost of living. It’s been quite a while since parking was a problem in Sligo.

Carmel Mullaney reckoned she had just saved close to €100 on her “week-and-a-half” shop. “This would normally cost €400, but I spent just over €300. I was impressed,” said Ms Mullaney.

Sandra Brady from Sligo wondered what all the fuss was about. “If I had transport, I would still go to Asda ,” she said. She agreed there had been a few bargains and her €74 bill would normally be closer to €90, but she is reserving judgment. Christine Clerkin  from Sligo on the other hand was thrilled. “I just can’t believe I got all that for €60. Twelve cans of coke for €3,” said the mother of three.

Peggy Dolan, from Kilavoggy, Dromahair, Co Leitrim, lives just 35 miles from Enniskillen, but has never been tempted. “I get the bus to Sligo every week and always come to Tesco,” she said. “I think that I get my money from the south and I should spend it here. Mind you Tesco is English, isn’t it?” Margaret McPadden, another Leitrim pensioner was underwhelmed. “I see very little change to tell you the truth. When I first went to Asda in Enniskillen I could not believe the difference in the prices.”

Sligo Chamber of Commerce welcomed the Tesco  relaunch. Chief executive Rebecca Stevens said that hopefully it would  encourage consumers in the Border regions to shop locally, but she urged the Government to “see what they can do”and to review current VAT rates.