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Supermarkets refuse challenge to match Pride's fundraising for local groups

By James Ledward
Oct 13, 2011 - 7:10:00 PM
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Chris Cooke
Calls from community activist Chris Cooke after this year Pride Festival for the four major supermarkets in St James Street to 'match' the £4,000 raised by Pride during this years event has fallen on deaf ears.
 
Chris wrote to the four supermarket 'giants' on St.James's Street, who reap huge benefits throughout the Pride week, particularly during the 'village street party' which is staged on their doorstep. (Indeed one of the big-four Chris claims increased their turnover by 60k on a single day during the street party weekend selling among other things cheap alcohol which affected the profits of the street bars).

Chris said:
"It will come as no surprise to you that I received no response at all from Tesco or Sainsburys despite them making great play on their community credentials.
 
"There was no response either from the Co-op although they did make a contribution to the Pride event in Preston Park as sponsors.
 
"I did receive a letter from Morrisons Head office with a resounding "no"."
 
"Not much community spirit from the supermarkets. They may have tills ringing throughout the Pride week and see huge increases in turnover, but as for putting their hands in their pockets and giving something back to the community .... a pathetic and indeed shameful response."
 
"It saddens me, but has come as no huge surprise."
 


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