Ludlow supermarket bid triggers job fears
About 350 town centre jobs could be affected if a large-scale supermarket is built on the outskirts of Ludlow, it has been claimed.
Campaigners against the 25,000sq ft (2,322sqm) store and filling station off the A49 at Rocks Green say that is the number of people whose livelihoods could potentially be damaged by taking shoppers out of town. They have based their arguments on a new survey carried out among businesses in Ludlow.
About 400 businesses would be affected by changes in customer spending caused by an out-of-town development, Love Ludlow campaigners estimate, including those that make up the supply chain that provides town centre shops with good and services.
Sean McGrath, of Indigo Planning, acting for the developers Blackfriars, previously insisted there was no evidence the store would result in "significant adverse impacts" on Ludlow.
But Tish Dockerty, secretary for Ludlow Chamber of Commerce and speaking for the campaign against the supermarket, said: "
There are over 350 people engaged in either full time or part time work in the independent retail sector of the town centre alone.
"These figures do not include jobs in the service industry such as cafes, pubs and hair salons – nor market stallholders or even chain retail shops.
"There will also be major job losses in the established supermarkets in the town when the impact of any new supermarket upon the income of these stores is seen."
She said the number of jobs promised by the developers did not make up for those it might put at risk.
She said: "This compares unfavourably with the 210 jobs which the proposed supermarket may create. When footfall drops in the town centre, which is inevitable if we allow another out-of-town development, it is these jobs and livelihoods that will be affected, many of which are local families.
"We have three supermarkets and convenience stores in town which suit a broad range of customers, so how people can say they need a need a new one is very hard to understand."
She urged those opposed to the plans to lodge their views on the Shropshire Council planning website.
No-one was available to comment on the claims on behalf of Blackfriars. No supermarket chain has yet been named to take on the Rocks Green development, but developers have said they have "no doubt" they would sign a major name if permission is granted.
