Social polarisation in shopping patterns: An example from Swansea

Abstract

This paper investigates the effects of the closure of a large Tesco store which fulfilled the major generative role within Swansea's largest district shopping centre, Morriston (200,000 sq. ft.). The closure followed the opening nineteen months earlier of a Tesco superstore one mile away in the Swansea Enterprise Park. This development was at variance with Structure Plan policies but was permitted under the EZ Planning Scheme. A household questionnaire survey of changing shopping habits in Morriston Ward revealed that the opening of the new superstore had comparatively little impact on Morriston District Centre's local catchment until the Morriston Tesco closed; the vast majority of independently mobile households, as well as car‐less households, continued to shop at the Morriston store until it closed. The paper investigates in detail the changes which followed the closure of the Morriston store and, in particular, their social impact on Morriston Ward.