Small traders unite against supermarket plans (From Daily Echo)
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Sainsbury's plans for a Bishop's Waltham store meet opposition
4:48pm Wednesday 6th May 2009 in News
Small traders unite against supermarket plans
INDEPENDENT traders have joined forces to form an action group after a supermarket revealed plans to open a new store in a Hampshire town.
Sainsbury’s wants to build a superstore covering 30,000 square feet with approximately 250 staff on the Abbey Mill site in Bishop’s Waltham.
Angry shop owners fear it will kill off the high street and have launched the Bishop’s Waltham Action Group Against Sainsbury’s to stop the store opening.
The group has collected more than 800 signatures of support and are planning to lobby the parish council at their annual meeting next Tuesday.
Fishmonger Peter Atkinson, said: “This is a wake-up call to Bishop’s Waltham Parish Council as there seems to be a few of them who want this to go ahead without thinking about the consequences for the town.
“I would like as many residents as possible to write and lobby the council demanding a full public meeting to discuss the plans for Sainsbury’s in full.”
Local butcher Andrew Grover said the new store would be a “slow death” for the village.
He said: “Traders here don’t want Sainsbury’s to open as they are worried about their future. If one shop closes it will have an adverse effect on everybody else as we all complement each other.”
A public consultation and a possible exhibition from Sainsbury’s is expected shortly.
Sainsbury’s regional development executive Max Whitehand said: “We are keen to open a new store in Bishop’s Waltham as many local people currently undertake their main food shopping at supermarkets outside of the area.
“A new supermarket in Bishop’s Waltham could help stem this leakage of trade and help keep shoppers in the local area.
“Supermarkets tend to compete with other supermarkets and we would expect to complement good local independent traders rather than competing with them.”
No planning application has yet been made but the parish council confirmed the supermarket bought the land in December.
● To join the Bishop’s Waltham Action Group Against Sainsbury’s contact Peter Atkinson on 01489 896111.
Comments(5)
Ozmosis
says...
5:30pm Wed 6 May 09
What he means is that they go to Tesco in Winnall or Bursledon.
Also, I bet he couldn't name me half a dozen towns where a large supermarket hasn't badly impacted the local trade.
The sad thing for the shops is that it's the customers who ultimately decide where to shop, and who wins and who looses. But for my part, very few Finest or Premium products that I've found at a supermarket are better than the independent's equivalent, and they will always have their place.
Irate Wintonian
says...
6:30pm Wed 6 May 09
soton1980 wrote:Badger Farm Sainsbury's is and always has been badly managed. The layout follows no logic and the ranges stocked are poor.
Does Bishop Waltham really need a Sainsburys? I work for the company and think that it would be completely unnecessary! There is the one which has recently been refurbished at Badger Farm in the south of Winchester. Then theres the one at Hedge End, which is one of Sainsburys biggest flagship stores. Also, there's the Fareham branch, which is having an extension later this year/early next year. The council of Bishops Waltham would be stupid to allow this.
And don't even get me started on Hedge End!!! Flagship my ar$e!
It is one of the most depressing places I have ever set foot in.
Give me Tesco at Winnall or Bursledon or even Asda at Chandler's Ford any day.
Or failing that, shop online!
10 Minute Man
says...
7:19pm Wed 6 May 09
From my experience, fewer of the shops in Bitterne Precinct would see much foot fall if people weren't going to the supermarket up there. And the butchers, bakers, greengrocers are still there, and now we also get a market once a week.
Reality-man
says...
8:46pm Wed 6 May 09
soton1980 says...
4:59pm Wed 6 May 09
There is the one which has recently been refurbished at Badger Farm in the south of Winchester.
Then theres the one at Hedge End, which is one of Sainsburys biggest flagship stores.
Also, there's the Fareham branch, which is having an extension later this year/early next year.
The council of Bishops Waltham would be stupid to allow this.