Grocer accused of underhand tactics
Tesco has been accused of using 'dirty tricks' to increase its high street dominance.

The accusations, in the Evening Standard newspaper, arose after e-mails concerning plans for a Tesco Express, to be built on a site at Finchley in London, were revealed to the publication. Rather than apply for planning permission for the supermarket, Tesco let a 'nominee company' - Carpets 4 Less - move into the site. E-mails sent between the supermarket giant and its planning consultant said this would be more 'low key' than an application by Tesco and would establish a precedent for using the site as a shop.

After five months, the council gave the carpet retailer the green light and it was then that Tesco revealed its plans for the site.

The secret e-mails and letters between planning consultant Haydn Payne and Tesco executive Tom Scorer were accidentally left in council offices. They show that Tesco was interested in the site in January 2005, months before the retailer unveiled its plans.

A planning expert said Tesco was 'trying to get back-door planning permission without being open and honest'. He added: 'We know this goes on all the time, but it's unusual to get the evidence.'

A Tesco spokesman said: 'The site was a car showroom and filling station when it was acquired by an agent acting for Tesco in December 2004. To prevent the site from falling into disuse and becoming derelict, the agent approached Carpets 4 Less with a view to letting the site on a short-term licence.

'With the Carpets 4 Less licence about to expire, Tesco made an application for a change of use that would allow the conversion of the site into a Tesco Express.

We strongly deny any suggestion that Tesco has acted improperly in any of its dealings in relation to this site.'

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