Shrewsbury traders urged to fight Tesco planning bid

A call to arms for traders has been issued with Shrewsbury retailers being urged to show their opposition to a retrospective planning application submitted by retail giant Tesco.

Shop in the Loop, which represents about 700 shops in Shrewsbury town centre, has called for traders to attend the council's strategic planning committee at 10am on Friday, claiming it is crucial to Shrewsbury's future vitality.

Tesco's Harlescott store was built three years ago with a retail sales area of 4,789sq m as opposed to the 4,520sq m approved, an increase of six per cent. In addition, the area for comparison goods - goods sold in the town centre - was 2,071 sq m instead of the 1,597 sq m permitted.

It is now seeking approval for these.

Tesco spokesman Tony Fletcher claims the store has not had a detrimental effect on independent traders.

He said: "We've worked with council planning officers to explain why we'd like the council to consider granting retrospective planning permission.

"They agree there has been no detrimental effect on small traders who are holding up extremely well in Shrewsbury compared to other towns."

But Shop in the Loop chairman John Hall, who will address the meeting at Shirehall, said: "Since Tesco opened we have lost 49 comparison goods stores in town."