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'No need for new Tesco store here'
PROTESTERS against a Tesco supermarket they fear will put traders out of business claim more than 90 per cent of people they surveyed in Sandiacre are opposed to the proposal.
Action group A Future for the Sandiacre Community, headed by resident Rosalind Heydon, conducted a survey of 170 residents asking them, 'Do you think Sandiacre needs a Tesco store?', to which 159 people answered no.
Mrs Heydon said: "We are not a placard-waving group that doesn't want change.
"There is not a need for this store in Sandiacre, or anywhere else in the area for that matter.
"We've seen what Tesco stores have done in Long Eaton and Ilkeston – do we really need a third major store?"
Independent expert Richard Stankiewicz conducted a retail impact assessment on behalf of the action group to see what effect the proposed Tesco 'Eco' store would have on Sandiacre traders.
The results showed the 5,200-sq ft store planned for Derby Road, would take 83 per cent of the grocery trade from current Sandiacre and Stapleford stores, he claimed.
Mr Stankiewicz concluded that this would result in the closures of Sandiacre and Stapleford Co-op stores and the loss of other village shops based on similar developments in towns where Tesco has opened large stores.
He said although it would create a potential 300 jobs, there would be a net loss of jobs due to loss of trade from other stores.
The news comes as chairman of Long Eaton Chamber of Trade Michael Lucking said the group has lodged an objection to the plan with Erewash Borough Council.
Mr Lucking said: "It is obvious that a store of this size is not needed and will force other shops in Sandiacre and Stapleford to close – just like it did in Long Eaton when the Tesco store opened here.
"We have examined the retail-need study prepared by consultants for Tesco and their claim of what is the catchment area for this shop is a fantasy.
"Independent studies of the retail requirements for Sandiacre have come to the conclusion that there is no need for additional convenience shopping floorspace in the town and we believe that these surveys are correct.
"We are still studying the further 450 pages of the transport study for the store.
"We have asked the council to give more time for residents and organisations like ours to analyse these documents properly."
A Tesco spokesperson said: "I cannot comment on a survey I haven't seen, but clearly we do a lot of research before we choose a site.
"If we didn't think there was a case for a Tesco store there, we wouldn't have chosen it.
"Ultimately it is our customers who are our biggest regulators – if no-one wants it, no-one will come.
"Our stores act as anchors that stop residents going elsewhere for their shopping and keep them using shops in the local area."
The decision is due to be heard at a meeting of Erewash Borough Council's planning committee on Wednesday, February 17.
Sandiacre Parish Council has already objected to the proposal, stating that there was no need for the store and that it would cause traffic problems.
To find out more about A Future for the Sandiacre Community, you can call Rosalind Heydon on 0115 939 0185.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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