Calls to limit store's range to save Shrewsbury town centre

The £40 million Waitrose supermarket planned for the outskirts of Shrewsbury should be allowed to sell food only in order to limit the impact it has on the town centre, a residents' group has said.

The Shrewsbury Town Centre Residents Association (STCRA) has called for conditions to be imposed on the redevelopment of the Percy Thrower's Garden Centre site in Oteley Road, if permission is granted.

The association wants the new superstore to only be allowed to sell convenience goods rather than non-food items.

They also want the company to ensure that local produce is sold as far as possible.

The supermarket giant is hoping to redevelop the Percy Thrower's Garden Centre site. The bid includes a parade of seven shops and a new garden centre.

According to plans submitted to Shropshire Council, 271 local jobs will be created if the proposals are approved.

But a statement on behalf of STCRA said it did not want the development to threaten the 'vitality' of the town centre retail trade.

"We seek two relevant conditions on the Waitrose supermarket.

"The first is to limit the goods sales to convenience goods, a condition that the developers had accepted at one of the liaison meetings held under the auspices of the Shropshire Council.

"Secondly we would like a condition that emphasised the importance of using as much local produce as possible including fruit, vegetables and bread in order to support local businesses and farmers.

"We have concerns about the seven small retail outlets, and seek a condition that ensures that they provide services to the public rather than the sales of comparison goods."

As part of the development there would also be 560 parking spaces, 102 cycle spaces, access off Oteley Road and upgrades to the road network.