TOWNSVILLE NEWS BEAT: First in a regular series.
Another indication of the tough trading conditions faced by small business in Townsville , North Queensland , is a large sign on one of the many empty premises declaring RENT FREE ... for the first six months. Did not rate a mention in the local media . Surely this is news ?
And at the large Castletown shopping centre the same day there was another sign indicating how yet again the grocery duopoly is screwing farmers. In a fairly new , popular fruit and vegetable market , Big Al's, which specialises in selling local produce , much of it cheaper than nearby Woolworths (an angry shopper recently heard ask why Woolworths bananas are so bloody dear) , lettuce were being sold three for $2. The reason why ? Lettuce cancelled by major chain store , selling for farmer. Guess which chain puller ? Will Big Al suffer the Big Boy Squeeze in fair go Australia ? Watch this space as we will be watching and reporting. What about the ACCC?
Some months ago, Woolies put up small signs saying it was going to hold a love in with its valued suppliers in Townsville, which did not get a mention in the local media. Local reporters seem not to shop, walk about the city, scan the waterfront , notice and read signs , hear what is being whispered in low dives , speakeasies and shouted on Struggle Street ... Townsville News Beat , like Chicken Man , is everywhere.
