UK SAFEWAY : NOT CONTENT WITH THEIR MONOPOLY IN ALNWICK NOW THEY WANT £5M FROM THE PUBLIC PURSE AS WELL. (this image is fictional and is not intended to suggest that well respected film makers HAXAN FILMS have any connection with Safeway.  And I think  Safeway in the USA might be a separate company ) The story of Alnwick's relationship with SAFEWAY is one of the more odd stories of the 1990s. There is a full account of the situation HERE BUT ESSENTIALLY THE RESULT OF THE STORY IS THAT... SAFEWAY: are claiming about FIVE MILLION POUNDS in compensation which will have to be paid by the Council  - which actually means by the residents of Alnwick District  - who won't get a leisure centre if the Council has to pay this sum to SAFEWAY.  say they don't have any choice about claiming compensation because they owe a duty to their shareholders to get every last drop. Strictly speaking it's not totally SAFEWAY's  fault that the claim has arisen - although they could, I think, fairly be accused of taking advantage of the situation.  To try and appease local opinion they have suggested that the Government should pay the money instead of the Council (which has an annual budget of only three million pounds). BUT: they are still claiming the money when they don't have to and they will be more likely to change their mind if you ... BOYCOTT SAFEWAY Don't shop there. SHUN anyone who does. Display  BOYCOTT SAFEWAY banners... Remember that the more their pockets are hurt the easier it is for them to justify not claiming the compensation. (click image below for a larger version) I heard a rumour at the end of October that a planning lawyer had said that SAFEWAY weren't going to claim compensation.  If that's right then why don't they say so? Pictures of Alnwick Details of where to stay FAQ The Freemen of Alnwick Odd buildings Links ALNWICK BULLETIN BOARD Alnwick International Music Festival Northumberland Gazette's attempt at supressing criticism Home   A Bob Mouser Production © 1999