Sir Kenneth Morrison CBE, Chairman of Morrison Supermarkets plc who have bid
for Safeway, has told Michael Fabricant in a letter: "Neither Lichfield or
Burntwood Safeway…… are on the list of compulsory disposals in the
Competition Commission Report. Should things work out in the way that we
hope we look forward to trading in these areas". The Competition
Commission had stated that 53 of the 479 Safeway Stores currently being bid
for by Morrison’s would have to be disposed of. Michael Fabricant then
contacted Sir Kenneth asking for reassurances about the future of the
Lichfield and Burntwood stores in the Lichfield constituency.

"Although Sir Kenneth Morrison told me ‘it is a little early to pass firm
comments on any Safeway store’, his reply is very encouraging" says Michael
Fabricant. "I believe that as there is currently no Morrison’s store in
Lichfield or Burntwood and given Sir Kenneth Morrison’s encouraging reply,
there is every chance that jobs will be safe at the two Safeway stores and
that they will become Morrison’s if the acquisition goes ahead.

"And with rumours that the unique and upmarket Waitrose food chain will be
coming to Lichfield at a site easily accessible from Burntwood too, we will
be well served with good food stores in our area and still more jobs will be
created. This is good news. But we need some more general stores too!"
Michael adds.