Letters: Different law applies for giant supermarket chains

As I predicted when the new licensing laws were introduced, as soon as any of the large supermarkets stamped their foot, they would be allowed to overrule the legislation.

They quickly overcame the supposed restrictions on multi-pack buying by reducing the price of individual packs and bottles. Asda, clearly not happy with the restrictions on the areas for displaying alcohol, applied to have this extended and, of course, was allowed to change the rules. This will clearly open the floodgates for the other big stores.

Then, as you reported (News, August 11), Tesco won its appeal against the punishment it was given for failing a test purchase on a technicality, this being a 16-year-old being referred to as a child instead of a young person.

What an absolute farce. The fact remains they broke the law and should, like any small shop or public house would have to, face the penalty. To add insult to injury, Midlothian Licensing Board, which, from my experience, is more than fair to licensees in the area, is to pick up the tab for the legal expenses.

Is it not time that the supermarkets were stripped of some of their power and made to adhere to the law like the rest of us? Rest assured, if I were to serve a 16-year-old in my premises, regardless of how they were referred to in the charge, I would have to face the music. Tesco, which is forever promoting itself as a responsible retailer, should hang its head in shame.

Sheila Fraser, Beveridge Close, Dalkeith

Eternal shame of the tram project

There is a well known working adage – “no job is for life”. I take it this does not apply to those involved in the trams project.

Talk about spinning things out. If they continue to move earth about at the Carrick Knowe/Stenhouse interchange (that’s all they are doing, by the way), it must surely turn to dust very soon.

Brian Johnstone, South Gyle

Tartan tat stores should check out

I THINK the tacky tartan shops in the High Street are an insult to Scotland.

There seem to be more and more selling cheap rubbish, but what was more disgusting was a full-sized stuffed lion outside one of said shops, wearing a tartan outfit complete with shoes. Absolutely awful.

I don’t know what the tourists think. Something should be done about this.

For the capital of Scotland it is an embarrassment.

Helen Porter, Edinburgh

Edinburgh must be the winner

PLEASE have the Olympics homecoming celebration in Edinburgh. The Commonwealth Games in Glasgow are irrelevant to the 2012 Olympics, and our top medal winner is from Edinburgh.

A Jack, Edinburgh

Will Scots end up Brown and out?

We have heard it from “the Oracle”.