‘One-quarter’ of Whitchurch population against Tesco plan
Wednesday 23rd March 2011, 3:54PM GMT.
The equivalent of a quarter of the population of Whitchurch has signed a petition calling on supermarket giant Tesco to scrap plans for an out-of-town store amid fears such a move would harm the vitality of the town centre.
Campaign group WH21, which wants a more sustainable town centre, has collected 2,600 names for its petition against the new superstore and petrol station at Edgeley Park.
Instead, campaigners want the retailer to consider redeveloping its existing store at White Lion Meadow in the town centre.
WH21 Campaigner Roger McMinn said following a recent public exhibition on Tesco’s plans, residents’ opposition to the scheme had been galvanised.
Tesco hailed the exhibition a success with a spokesman saying it had given the company a chance to clear up “misapprehension” about its proposals.
But Mr McMinn said the meeting did indeed clear up a lot of “misapprehension” with an independent poll at the door registering 90 per cent of visitors leaving being whole-heartedly against it.
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Hi , Have a look at llandrindod wells -a new tesco opened last year – now the Town centre is like a “Ghost Town” with Traders doing hardly any business. Its killing it !!!
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“Three quarters” for it then!
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i thought the same
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Totally agree. 3/4′s would like it then? and in a democratic society doesn’t the majority count or have we started AV already in Whitchurch?
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Three quarters would have to explicitly say they were for it to arrive at that conclusion.
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Whitchurch high street does not have many shops anyway, the majority have closed down. The remaining shops are pubs, takeaways and estate agents which I will goto regardless of Tesco opening a bigger store. If I want to buy a dvd or computer game in store I have to travel to Shrewsbury or Wrexham because Whitchurch does not have anywhere to purchase these goods.
Tesco tends to stock everything so its a good chance I can get what I want from them without having to travel to Shrewsbury or Wrexham.
It will also mean more people from nearby towns will come to Whitchurch for their shopping rather than distant towns.
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the white lion tesco is falling to bits there is no room for extra stock, the new tesco could bring in more outsiders to the town to spend their money can’t these pitioners see that. i am for the new store can’t wait for it to open.
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Tesco`s have already stated that if they don`t build on the rugby club, that they will look for another suitable site in the town.
The towns dead on its feet as it is – lots of pubs /shops shut – why ? – because there`s no local jobs ,meaning the locals haven`t got the money to spend in the town.
When tescos & sainsburys have both built their new stores ( & they will )you`ll see the town starting to thrive again.
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Any one who thinks that getting a new Tesco store is the answer to a town’s problems should visit Madeley in Telford:
http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2011/03/21/every-little-helps-telford-shopkeeper-to-throw-in-the-towel/
The Tesco’s is doing a roaring trade but the rest of the place is turning into a ghost town, with for sale signs on many of the business premises.
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As a Madeley resident, I have to disagree. Tesco has rejuvinated Madeley and it brings in very many more people than before. Remember that the Tesco supermarket replaced the previous Sommerfield, and the extra things that Tesco sell that Sommerfield didn’t aren’t easily available elsewhere in Madeley, such as Music, DVD, electrical items. It’s also increased employment in the area many times more than jobs that have been lost.
Yes, Tesco can use it’s size to offer bigger discounts, but the Grocer mentioned in the link isn’t exactly in the midst of a thriving retail hub at the moment.
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ergo 3/4 in favour then right?
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That’s right, Huw. 7,800 people, who probably weren’t asked and therefore didn’t express an opinion either way, automatically got placed in the “approve” category.
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