Councillor voices concern as Tesco plans expansion
Plans are being drawn up to more than double the size of the Tesco supermarket in Weston three years after it first opened.
The Tesco Express store in the High Street is set to expand in a project which would see it become a larger Metro.
-
Tesco Express
The adjacent buildings already have retail status so no planning permission is needed, and the supermarket giant is expected to make its move when the current leases run out, possibly in the new year.
A spokeswoman for Tesco confirmed the expansion plans but stressed it was a scheme being put forward by developer Bathweston One Ltd, which owns the buildings.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, May 26 2013
She said: "We are aware of a local developer's proposal to improve their High Street site.
"If approved by the council, we would be interested in extending our Express store as it is extremely popular with customers.
"We currently serve more than 8,000 shoppers each week and many tell us that they would like a wider choice of essential items. A large number also say that they want a more spacious shopping environment.
"Increasing the size of our Weston store will better meet our customers' needs and could encourage even more people to shop locally."
The Chronicle has attempted to contact the developer and owner of the buildings, Bathweston One Ltd, through its agent WYG Planning and Design, but that firm declined to comment. Councillor Colin Barrett (Con, Weston) said he was concerned about the impact an expanded Tesco would have on other shops in the area.
He said: "Over the past couple of years we have come to a compromise with Tesco about what they sell and what they don't sell, and we now have quite a nice working relationship.
"But what concerns us now is what effect the Metro could have on the rest of the shops in the village. We just can't take it in the village.
"I have told them I will object very strongly to what they are proposing."
Mr Barrett added that he believed the scheme would see a reduction in the existing car park to build new flats, something he was also opposed to.
He added: "We already have a problem with parking in the village and this would make it worse."
Meanwhile, a new Tesco Express is due to open in a former City of Bath College building in Westgate Buildings next Friday.
It is expected to create 20 jobs.
Comments
by humph8
Tuesday, July 17 2012, 9:44PM
“Is shopping at Tesco shopping locally? How does that benefit the local economy as none of the products are produced locally and all of the profits absorbed into the vast profits of the retail giant. Weston High street is pretty small scale and is in real danger of being wholly dominated by the blue stripes of Tesco. A key to any local high street is the variety of retail outlets and this is being compromised. Tesco already has numerous stores across Bath and are fighting to open a large store on the former Bath Press site. They will probably get their way in the end when B&NES council run out of money to oppose the giants. This really is a case of a Tesco town developing. Many local people that I speak with are unhappy with Tesco's presence and feel that they are forced to use the store as choice is diminished. They don't seem too bothered about the parking and traffice problems that their plans will create either. Enough Tescos.”
by rogerh3
Friday, July 06 2012, 10:11PM
“If you think that's strange just wait until Bath get's its fourth Santander when it takes over the only RBS branch in the city. All in the name of greater competition, apparently.”
by Mr_Nemo
Friday, July 06 2012, 9:53PM
“When Somerfield was sold to the Co-op, their shop in Weston was one of those which the Co-op was compelled to sell on to another buyer, something to do with ensuring that they did not have too many shops in one area I believe. Strange really, given that there had not been a Co-op anywhere near Weston for many years. Yet now it would appear that Tescos are springing up all over the place in Bath, so why no worry about lack of competition now?
A bigger Tesco is likely to mean an increase in traffic - and where are they all going to park?”
by rogerh3
Friday, July 06 2012, 6:44PM
“Would that be Lewes in East Sussex Rogerh3?"
That one too.
.”
by Viscount_V
Friday, July 06 2012, 6:19PM
“I fear it won't make Tesco Express any cheaper.”
by Mr_P_Dantic
Friday, July 06 2012, 2:24PM
“"There are Local Authorities - e.g. Lewes in Suffolk - that have a policy of not permitting separate retail units to be merged in order to encourage independent traders."
Would that be Lewes in East Sussex Rogerh3?”
by Ilovespaniels
Friday, July 06 2012, 1:34PM
“BathWeston One link
http://tinyurl.com/7zd6z7p”
by Dave_Weston
Friday, July 06 2012, 1:21PM
“The developer seems to be a small company (founded in 2011) run by a Stuart Creed of Claverton Down, and a Nicholas Chapman of Blagdon (publicly available info from Companies House). Its not an obvious front for Tesco, but I suspect they wouldn't be putting the money in to make these changes unless Tesco had offered them more rent than they currently get.”
by clarysage50
Friday, July 06 2012, 12:57PM
“So, the Tesco spokeswoman states that Tesco is 'aware of a local developer's proposal to improve their High Street site'.......... excuse me, but, when has Tesco EVER 'improved' a local high street?? And just who is this 'local' developer who thinks that Weston High Street needs improving by handing this block over to Tesco??”
by Dave_Weston
Friday, July 06 2012, 12:49PM
“Trouble is Roger - 3 of the units are already knocked through (albeit fairly minimally) and used as one shop, which combined with the fact that a carpet shop (whilst excellent and highly recommended) isn't really a staple of local shopping, makes the diversity argument a bit weaker than if it were currently 4 units all aimed specifically at local shoppers.”