Chief minister 'encouraged' by Tesco's pledge to sell Manx produce

Tesco will have 10 stores in total across the island following the Shoprite takeover

Supermarket Tesco "reaffirmed" its pledge to develop its range of Isle of Man sourced products during recent talks, the chief minister has said.

It was announced last week that the retail giant had purchased the island's nine Shoprite stores.

Alfred Cannan said he was "encouraged by the commitments" given at a meeting with senior representatives of the firm ahead of the October Tynwald sitting.

He faced three urgent questions about the sale at the sitting.

Mr Cannan told politicians the company's initial statement was "clear" that it would "locally source as many products as possible".

He said the chain would continue to "develop the range of locally sourced goods".

Accreditations

While Tesco required specific accreditations in order to display and sell local produce, the government "stands ready to support any suppliers who wish to achieve" those through the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, Mr Cannan said.

Meanwhile the island's Chamber of Commerce has renewed its plea to government asking for local producers be prioritised in an open letter.

The letter said while the chamber recognised the firm already stocked some Manx produce it was urged to "also adopt a policy to support a much wider range".

Reassurance to local producers would "allow them to plan ahead in the longer term" and would "lead to the production of increased volumes of Manx food and drink", the letter said.

Tesco is to takeover each store in a staggered process over the next nine months, including refurbishments of all of the sites.

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