This is exactly the response I thought I would get. You missed my point, would there have been such an out cry if anyone had opened a shop next to premier foods? I think not judging by the majority of comments on here.
I've only lived in Marple for less than two years (and at the opposite end at that) and nearby for three before that. I don't know any of the people involved. However, in general I would not be at all happy at a convenience store opening next door to another, regardless of who was there first. That really shouldn't happen. That said, there does seem to be a lot of heat in this situation for some reason which is not apparent to those of us not closely involved. I have never visited either the Spar, or the Premier stores, simply because of the location, although I go past on the way to work. Both shops seemed busy and the survivor still does. It always seemed bizarre to me to see the two shops next to each other and I'm surprised it was allowed. It would have seemed equally bizarre if the Premier store had been there first. I don't think which came first has any relevance.