We can't last much longer - shopkeeper

Apr 4 2006 By Catherine Hendrick, Birmingham Mail

SHOPKEEPERS fighting a David and Goliath style-battle with a supermarket chain at the heart of a Birmingham community have welcomed our Save Our Small Shops campaign.

The arrival of discount store Lidl in Winson Green last year has had a devastating effect on local businesses, according to the Dudley Road Traders Association.

Taranjit Sedana, aged 32, runs the Sedana Super-market, in Dudley Road, about half a mile from Lidl.

"Since Lidl opened in December we have lost so many customers," he said. "It's had a terrible effect on businesses around here and some shops could close, which will mean less choice for local people.

"We just can't compete with the big supermarket chains. They shouldn't be allowed to open so close to small community shops."

Mr Sedana added: "I think the Save Our Small Shops campaign is a good idea. It's time something was done."

The Mail has joined forces with Birmingham Chamber of Commerce to launch the campaign.

We are calling for protection for our small shops from the march of the giant supermarkets.

The Chamber's newly created Birmingham retail network has warned that the traditional British high street, packed with independent traders, could disappear within ten years.