Ledbury News
Chamber of Commerce is in support of Sainsbury’s
8:00am Saturday 4th February 2012
MORE than two thirds of Ledbury businesses who were consulted by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce are in favour of Sainsbury’s building a superstore in the town.
The survey has been seized upon by the Ledbury Supports the Sainsbury’s Superstore (LESS) group as clear evidence of local support for their position.
Martin Dudley, of LESS, said: “It is interesting to read that 78 per cent of Ledbury-based member businesses have expressed approval for a Sainsbury’s development, showing that business demand for a Sainsbury’s development is strong at local level.”
But members of Ledbury Opposes Out of Town Superstore (LOTS) group say the figures do not paint an accurate picture of local retail opinion.
The study has been put together by Gary Woodman, the Chamber of Commerce’s head of policy and education, who said that 50 businesses had been consulted in total, with 25 of those responding.
He said: “There were a handful of shopkeepers, plus selfemployed people, agricultural and industrial businesses.” Mr Woodman’s report, which has been sent to both Herefordshire Council and Ledbury Town Council, concludes: “Sainsbury’s plans to develop a site near the bypass have been resoundingly well received by our Ledburybased member businesses.
“Those selecting Sainsbury’s have pointed to the fuel station that the Sainsbury’s proposal include. Many also feel that the Sainsbury’s development is itself a brand attraction, and what Ledbury needs to attract inward investment, and prevent shoppers going to places like Malvern, Hereford, Ross and Gloucester.”
He added: “With the vast majority of members supporting this proposal, the Chamber of Commerce is confirming support for a singular Sainsbury’s development proposal.”
But Richard Hadley, of Lots, said: “The study is not retail focused. There are 140 businesses in Ledbury High Street alone and I would say that 90 per cent are concerned about the proposal.
“The Chamber of Commerce is about larger companies.
Frankly, I am completely unconcerned about this. It is nice they have done it but it is not necessarily a representative and valid picture of true opinion.”
The Sainsbury’s planning application was due to be debated by members of Ledbury Town Council last night. The final decision on the plan will be taken by Herefordshire Council.
Architect with a ‘win-win’ plan
LEDBURY-based architect Anthony Peake says his vision of a new Tesco store for the town is a “win-win” situation for local residents. It could bring a superstore to the town centre and end any idea of building a superstore off the bypass, on the New Mills industrial estate. He made his view known to the public and presented his plans at a meeting of Ledbury Opposes out of Town Superstores (LOTS) supporters in the Burgage Hall. Mr Peake, of Knapp Lane, said the drawing showed that a significantly enlarged single-storey supermarket could easily be accommodated at the Orchard Lane store, and Tesco has not ruled out his idea. The firm’s spokeswoman Sophie Akokhia said: “The Tesco team is open-minded and currently considering all options.” Tesco withdrew an application for a new superstore in the town on the New Mills Industrial Estate, which was set to be opposed by Herefordshire Council, before a planning meeting in December . Mr Peake said: “We are really encouraged by the open-minded response of the Ledbury Tesco planning team.” “This proposal could not only transform the Orchard Lane site with a distinguished building, but also allow Tesco to expand in a beneficial town centre setting. “An expansion at Orchard Lane by Tesco would be a brilliant win-win solution. We get a state of the art supermarket in a fantastic town centre setting, which would actively contribute to Ledbury’s vibrancy and increase footfall in town. This is definitely the option to go for.” Mr Peake has also discussed his idea with Herefordshire Council planners. His idea is to build a floor above the existing car park, creating a store entrance off the Homend and at the same level. A 242-place car park would then exist below, out of sight. Mr Peake’s proposal would mean closing Tesco’s existing store for a year. But he said: “This way, they would not have to buy a new site.”