The Leviathan is Growing

It's common knowledge on this blog that Lord Belmont has a modicum of distaste for that elephantine store on Knocknagoney's hill with Tesco's name emblazoned thereon. To my mind it was a sufficient size before; and now they seem to have doubled its size in order to flog clothing, white goods, appliances and optical wares. What has customarily been considered as primarily a grocery store now competes with Argos; or so it seems to me.

For the benefit of readers who have not heard of Knocknagoney, it's really a townland on the periphery of east Belfast; and, following its enlargement, the huge Tesco store there could possibly be the largest of their branches in the Province.

The BBC has inadvertently given them some publicity this morning. I suppose you could argue that I am, too; except they'll hardly use mine for any marketing purpose! How, in Heaven's name, can Tesco's key staff in Northern Ireland be contacted? Take Gary Mills, their NI Director, for instance: there isn't even an email address to contact him - or his secretary - publicly. It merely demonstrates the contempt Tesco has for the general public, when their corporate staff are practically impossible to get hold of.

The last time I darkened their doors was about a month ago; and this simple act - walking in - put me instantly in a mood because there were no baskets for customers. Eventually I obtained one from a check-out a few minutes away.

It is one of those monstrous places where you need a map to find anything. The additional extension to the building seems to have been used mainly for clothing ranges and white goods, not groceries.

I shall revisit them soon. Perhaps the Experience has improved; we will see.