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Tuesday, 01 December 2009

Traders welcome Tesco snub

A planning application to build the largest Tesco store in Ireland has been turned down, Stormont's Environment minister has said.

The proposed 130,000 sq ft plus Tesco Extra store at the Bridgewater retail park on the outskirts of Banbridge, Co Down was rejected because of the negative impact it would have on town centre traders, Edwin Poots explained.

The supermarket giant had appealed a 2008 decision to throw out the application, but after reviewing the case the Northern Ireland Planning Appeals Commission recommended that the ruling should stand.

The minister, who has decided to follow the PAC advice, said while the store would have brought added business and jobs to the retail park, it would have had potentially ruinous consequences on Banbridge town itself.

"We always want to ensure that we don't take any decision that would led to the dereliction of town centres," said Mr Poots.

"This was not a straightforward decision, as it would also have an impact on the shopping outlet, bringing extra business to it.

"But the case was pretty strong from the PAC that it would have a significantly detrimental effect on Banbridge town centre."

The Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association welcomed the decision.

"This is the right result, not just for Banbridge traders, but also for the retention of local jobs and a long established and viable town centre", Glyn Roberts said.

"There is no doubt that if this application had gone ahead it would have resulted in dozens of local businesses going bust and a net loss of hundreds of jobs."

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13 Comments

At 13:48 on 18 January 2010, Dave wrote:

Banbridge is a town of hair dressers and pound shops - what is our council going to do about this outrage?

At 12:07 on 11 December 2009, Banbridge Trader wrote:

Jim calls the people that supports his business 'blind'. Tescos did not give out vouchers to people who completed the survey. They were entered for a draw. Quote 'We have a Tesco granted with planning to expand to twice ' I'm glad you gave Tesco permission. I'm sure they're grateful.

At 12:36 on 08 December 2009, Liam wrote:

Looks like someone has hit a raw nerve our Jim! - So Jim you going to fix it for Banbridge? Remember when Lisburn and Newry were like Banbridge, but now compare them. Banbridge town centre is stuck in a time warp.

At 22:50 on 07 December 2009, elizabeth wrote:

wake up banbridge dont let a few narrow minded traders decide whether or not you have a job,maybe mr quail will direct us to the hundreds of jobs he has invented in town centre he must be going to expand his business at the outlet or maybe the spokesperson mrs McAleenan has plans to employ somebody?

At 23:28 on 04 December 2009, Jim wrote:

An existing store with planning permission to double in size, creating more jobs (part time no doubt!!) and construction jobs (for companies outside NI no doubt) in the store that already exists that wont have a negative impact on the town?? How is this bad news?? Yes, if we all want to be devastated that we wont get a few hours stocking shelves down the local Hypermarket, or scanning goods (a position Tesco and co are working on replacing with self checkout facilities) then lets all cry ourselves to sleep!! What are the people of Banbridge on?? One butcher massaged the decision of the PAC twice... and the approval of the Minister of the environment... twice... make him the next Prime Minister!! There is plenty of support behind this decision, including a percentage of the Councilors contrary to what some of the individuals within the council with a more 'vested' interest in this development say as there are at least five councilors who vocally approved the decision, the entire Banbridge Chamber of Commerce not just the butcher and a petiton with as many names on it as Tescos (without the need to bride the public with a sad voucher incentive). Have any of these blind residents actually bothered to research the impact of these massive out of town stores on the town centers, the local suppliers and the general viability of an area?? Tesco are the only party set to gain from this. Other places are too late to save the devastation. Even councilors in Carrick now admit that allowing the big Supermarkets to take over Carrick has been a disaster. Im disgusted at these comments from Banbridge residents! Nobody can deny the negative impact that these developments have on everyone unless you are deaf and dumb! Take this decision... whos the loser? We have it all, people have the choice of shopping in independent shops and Tesco. Not everyone wants to shop in Tesco, Banbridge has a thriving town center, something of a rarity in Northern Ireland since so many towns are now decimated because of this greedy machine you all feed! We have a Tesco granted with planning to expand to twice the size, thats 80,000 Sq feet, hardly a corner store, which will give all you budding shelf stockers plenty of chances to apply for that prized position that everyone seemingly wants, we still have our town center intact where jobs remain secure and we still have our free site at Bridgewater Park to use for what that whole area was originally granted planning for!! An industrial park!! Banbridge residents and Traders are all for moving Banbridge on, but not into a clone of every other Tesco Town in Northern Ireland We want to see more jobs that do not threaten exisiting jobs within Banbridge that creating a retail destination beside a retailing destination is going to do. So far one major company has moved out of Banbridge to Portadown as it had no where to expand and another one is set to follow, these companies created more skilled jobs that were lost to the area. Banbridge and Northern Ireland people have short memories. The very shops you no longer care for served you and your community when nobody else (Tesco etc) wanted to come anywhere near Northern Ireland through its troubled past. Shame on you Banbridge residents,.. shame on you. Talk of Ghost Towns?? That name was coined after so many towns the length and breadth of the Country became tumbleweed towns BECAUSE of parasites like Tesco!! Good grief people, wake up!! On the subject of 600 jobs Elaine. First of, what percentage of these jobs, if indeed it would have been 600 which is rather unlikely, would have been full time? Very little, it is well known that Tescos staff are largely part time. So what happens to the jobs when the other Tesco store closes in a few years as it will, since Tesco themselves refused to commit on paper to guaranteeing the existence of that store for at least ten years?? Come back when you all have facts to back up your arguments, not just unfounded opinions.

At 22:16 on 02 December 2009, Nigel wrote:

Hopefully Tescos will now appeal to the high court. This is quite clearly against the wishes of the residents of Banbridge. As Karen says, the precedent has been set with Antrim building the largest Asda in NI beside Junction one. Why wasn't this turned down?

At 16:48 on 02 December 2009, Elaine wrote:

As a resident of Banbridge I feel that the decision to refuse the new Tesco store at Bridgewater Park is totally the wrong decision made by Mr Poots, Retailers of the town and The Planning Appeals Commission and Senior Management Board. I can't speak on behalf of the other residents of the town and the surrounding area but i feel that the people of Banbridge would not have made such a decision and indeed welcomed the new store, (bringing 600 new jobs and trade from surrounding areas, and with the new road to Dublin not far of completion bringing business from over the border and thus benefiting the town of Banbridge). One main retailer (the previously mentioned Butcher) who is extremely opposed to the new store also has a premises out of town at the outlet, therefore encourageing people to go out of town to shop. The retailers have kept the people of Banbridge down for years depreiving them of new shops and stores thus decreasing jobs and trade within the town centre. The retailers need to realise who lines their pockets and puts food on their table. I agree with Michael and Banbridge will become a ghost town with no future for our children or young people. The retailers involved should be ashamed of them selves. Clearly the peoples votes mean nothing, but the retailers may realise the mistake they have made when the people start to vote with their feet and pockets.