Opening date is set for new Baschurch shop
A controversial village shop – which has already led to the closure of another store – will open on May 17, bosses said today.
Plans for the Spar at Newtown Garage in Shrewsbury Road, Baschurch, were given the go ahead in March last year despite a storm of opposition.
The Spar has created more than 20 jobs – but about 800 people signed a petition claiming it would cripple independent traders.
More than 150 letters of objection were submitted to Shropshire Council as residents raised concerns about an increase in traffic, noise and anti-social behaviour.
Since the plans for the Spar were approved Kal Douley, 48, closed Clemetines shop in Station Road, which he has run for more than three years.
He said his business would simply 'not be viable' when the Spar store opens and closed it at the end of February.
Mr Douley put the building up for sale about four months ago and has now applied for planning permission to turn it into two two-bedroomed flats, due to a lack of interest in anyone taking it on asa business.
The new Spar will be opened at 10am, with local schoolchildren cutting the ribbon.
Dan Sant, shop manager, said: "Three local schools are going to send some children down to cut the ribbon for us and there is a school disco that evening so we will supply food and drink for them for the evening.
"We wanted to get the community involved.
"We have got all the staff, they are doing the induction this week and they will work in other stores for a few weeks then the week before we open we will fill it all up with stock.
"We are ready and raring to go – we're all looking forward to it now."
