Sainsbury’s Shrewsbury expansion approved
Friday 18th November 2011, 10:59AM GMT.
Sainsbury’s has been given the green light for a multi-million pound expansion of its Shrewsbury store, despite opposition from town traders.
Amended plans submitted by the supermarket giant, which bosses say will create 60 full and part-time jobs, were approved by majority decision at Shropshire Council’s central planning committee yesterday.
Shrewsbury Town Residents Association and Shop in the Loop had objected to the application on the grounds of it creating a danger to town centre trade.
And Councillor Andrew Bannerman, speaking at the meeting, said that new supermarkets nearly always created a net loss of jobs because of the impact it had on town centre trade.
He added: “The traders feel beleaguered and betrayed and want a commitment from the committee that they support the town centre as proclaimed in the council’s core strategy.”
But members were asked to consider just the amendments to the plans, such as the sales area reducing in size and the fact Sainsbury’s would be putting in £120,000 to improve bus services and the town centre.
Christian Wakelin, Sainsbury’s regional development executive, said after the decision: “We’ve made these changes whilst keeping all the benefits that this extension would bring to the local community, so we’re delighted that the council has approved of the revisions.”
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Finally common sense has prevailed. Remember folks its the survival of the fittest. I and many thousands do not have the time to shop here, there and everywhere for their grociers/clothes/electrical items etc. We want one shop!!
Well done for once council :)
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Good news for most with full-time jobs, kids to support, mortgages to pay and want to do all their shopping, conveniently and under one roof. Like bemused, I have neither the time, money or inclination to trudge around town paying over the odds to prop up ailing businesses that can’t compete anymore. Who cares whether the STRA like it or not. They are an insignificant bunch of busy-bodies that nobody listens to anymore. One word to them and shop in the loop – tough!
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Bemused and Jack,
There will be nothing new. It just be more of thesame old mediocre.
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Katherine deGama, What is wrong with mediocre???
value for money is what people need not fancy overpriced goods from town!
supermarkets offer a cheap, middle of the road and a quality price, this all equals CHOICE
STRA? who are they to say anything on peoples behalf??
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I think you’ll find the market is cheaper. Further, you can buy in the quantity you need so you don’t waste food.
What’s the matter with mediocre? Well, er, it’s mediocre.
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Mediocre is, er, mediocre.
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Katherine deGama. think you be on a losing battle with both bemused.com and jack le strudelle, sounds they be happy to see no town centre shops, just out of town sheds with no character everything under one roof. If this is the way planners keep on going, you have this, their be no competition and your so called one stop shop, you shopping will be double/treble in price, which you have to pay or leave it as their no other shops to try !!!!
More supermarkets = less independant shop = death of the town = No competition = Supermarkets got you where they want, and increase the prices .
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Note I’m not a trader but I live in the loop… On a positive note there was a recent Chronicle article on the success of the market. Rightfully so. As well as great produce at reasonable prices you get recipe tips and always a friendly chat. You can’t say that about Sainsburys.
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Look out Sainsburys, Waitrose is going to be just around the corner. Look out shoppers your going to be deluged with all sorts of wonderful time wasting money spending offers from them.
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Katherine
The market will survive as there is room at the cheap end of the scale. Many thousands want convienent shopping though. What’s all this about the death of the town? drivel is what it is!
Scaremongering is a cheap shot as their is room for all.
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Hi bemused,
I completely accept your point about convenience. I live in the loop and work from home so can nip out whenever it suits but most people can’t. The fish stall, Billy Todd’s meats and Cook and Carve are all terrific and I love the pet stall!
Frankly, I don’t have any sense that the town centre is dying. I don’t see empty shops on Wyle Cop, where I live. The area around the station never had anything I wanted to buy (I used to do a daily train commute) and Riverside is just depressing.
By the way – if you order from Sainsbury’s online and give the delivery person a cup of tea you often get freebies!
Best, Kat.
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I don’t think Sainsbury will be too worried, the prices in Waitrose are similar to those in the Market Hall ie: a lot.
M&S are a bigger threat to them.
This concept that the Market Hall is less expensive does not seem to be the reality, though I am really pleased that the Market Hall is seeing a revival. It is a great building and would be a lot better if the inappropriate Victoriana in the interior was removed. I used to love looking down to the tables from the balcony as it was originally designed for us to do.
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The market stalls sell much better quality produce than the supermarkets.
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