TENBURY Town Councillor Jonathan Morgan has told ‘the Advertiser’ that he is one of 19 people made redundant by Bowketts Supermarket in the town.

Bowketts has been asked for a comment but had not responded at the time of going to press.

The move comes just a month after the opening of the new Tesco supermarket in the town.

Jonathan Morgan, who is a long serving member of the Town Council and was a Labour candidate in the recent elections to Worcestershire County Council, confirmed that workers for the supermarket had been informed of the job by bosses.

He was a storeroom supervisor and had worked for Bowketts for 37 years.

“I can confirm that I am one of 19 people made redundant by Bowketts in Tenbury,” said Jonathan Morgan.

“However, although I am not working I am on ‘gardening leave’ and so I am not able to say anymore.”

He is understood that Bowketts had told staff that the opening of the Tesco supermarket in the town at the end of April was behind the job losses.

But the Secretary of the Town’s Chamber of Trade Sarah Thompson and two councillors representing the town say that it is too early to know what impact Tesco is having.

“It is too early to say,” said Sarah Thompson, secretary of Tenbury Chamber of Trade.

“Things will need to settle down. The problems around the improvements to the Town Centre and the loss of parking spaces may be a factor.”

“I suspect some people will try Tesco to see what it is like and then return to the shops they have used in the past.”

Ken Pollock, who represents Tenbury Worcestershire County Council, said he was aware of concerns about a downturn in trade but thought it too early to know if Tesco was a factor.

“A new pattern of behaviour is developing in Tenbury to take account of the arrival of Tesco’s supermarket,” said Ken Pollock.

“It is clear that other retailers are suffering some loss of trade as the balance shifts. It would be my hope that this will not mean any existing businesses ceasing to trade and I sincerely hope that there will be an expansion of trade overall, benefitting both shoppers and retailers alike.

“At a time like this, rumours abound and I would hope that only confirmed facts are discussed by town councillors, to avoid unnecessary alarm. I have heard one serious rumour that proved untrue and I hope that no-one will pass on unsubstantiated comments that might be to the detriment of the town overall.”

Tony Penn, who represents Tenbury on Malvern Hills District Council and was a supporter of Tesco coming to the town believes it is too early to know what the impact will be.

“It has only been a month since Tesco opened and there was always likely to be some novelty value so we need to see how things settle down,” said Tony Penn.

It took seven years for Tesco to open after the supermarket first indicated that it intended to come to Tenbury.

The scheme divided the town with some predicting that it would damage existing businesses and the character of the town whilst supporters said it would bring people into Tenbury to the benefit of other traders.

Bowketts is an independent family owned supermarket that has been in business for more than 100 years.

It is a member of the Nisa-Today's Group, the largest of its type in the country.