|
Published:
October 24, 2008
Tesco
defends proposals to expand its Burnham-On-Sea store
 Several
traders in Burnham-On-Sea have labled Tesco 'a wolf in sheep's
clothing' over its multi-million pound plans to expand its supermarket
in the town.
Bosses
from the supermarket giant attended this week's Burnham Chamber
of Trade meeting in the Princess Hall and got a mixed reception
from the town's business owners.
Several
expressed fears that the proposed extension of the Tesco store
in Love Lane might take away trade from existing shops in the
town centre.
Chris
Francis of Goldsmiths jewellers said: "It's been proven elsewhere
around the UK that out-of-town developments like this do have
an impact on small businesses around them and I feel it's right
that Tesco is challenged on its plans for Burnham."
"The
size of the extension will be the equivalent of 100 small shops
in the centre of Burnham. It feels to me like Tesco is a 'wolf
in sheep's clothing' and the plans will harm our town centre.
Let's face it, Tesco is here for Tesco - not to help the local
area."
But
Melanie Chiswell, Corporate
Affairs Director for Tesco, defended the plans, saying: "We're
trying to provide local people with a better shopping experience."
 "By
expanding the store, we hope to keep shoppers in Burnham rather
see them travelling away from the town to Weston or Bridgwater.
Our customer survey
in the summer found a large majority of local people want this
expansion."
However,
Burnham High Street shop owner Phil Hemmings of Home Hardware,
also questioned the need for the expansion, saying a claim by
Tesco that the Burnham store needs to expand due to 'over-trading',
where shelves are often bare of products during busy shopping
periods, is not an argument for the store's growth.
He
said: "If over-trading is a problem at the Burnham store,
you should surely be expanding your storage space and staff numbers
to cater for the demand rather than expanding the floor space
and in turn taking away trade from shops in the town centre."
Simon
Russell, on behalf of Tesco, said the scheme "would not draw
on the trade of town centre businesses" and added that the
store "has no plans to sell 'white goods' - just the essentials
and food."
 Melanie
Chiswell added that Tesco also hopes to appoint a 'community champion'
in Burnham to help with fundraising for community groups. And
Mr Russell added that a Section 106 planning agreement might also
mean that Tesco would provide funding for community projects in
the area.
Burnham-On-Sea.com
was first to report
in July Tesco's intention to expand the store in Love Lane.
The
scheme would provide an extra 1,200 square metres of shopping
space and around double the number of parking spaces, although
the planning application is smaller than the extension proposed
in 2005. It is designed to tackle over-crowding in the store and
car park, particularly at peak times.
Alex
Turco, Chairman of the Chamber of Trade, praised the supermarket
chain for being so pro-active in seeking the opinion of local
people and businesses.
"It
is very refreshing that Tesco got in touch with us at an early
stage and were keen to work with us," he said.
Our
photos show Tesco bosses at this week's Chamber Of Trade meeting
in Burnham-On-Sea's Princess Hall
RELATED
LINKS:
Survey finds 86%
of Burnham residents back Tesco expansion
Tesco
plans to build 17 new homes next to expanded store
More
details emerge over Tesco expansion plans
Tesco
to unveil expansion plans for Burnham store
|
