14 June 2007
Why Tesco Needs Belper - Is the feeling mutual?
Posted by Dexter M under: belper; tesco .
Since my previous post about the first BATS (Belper Against Tesco Superstore) meeting a few more things to report:
- Tesco have announced they are to hold a public consultation about their plans - although they won’t say when (or where) this will happen - will have to stay alert about this one.
- Local coucilors Alan Cox and Barry Lewis have carried out a straw poll about the Tescos plans and the “relief” road - 68% against Tesco and 64% infavour of the road (out of 850 people).
- The BATS people were on King Streetlast Saturday - selling (out of) badges and giving away (all their) posters - sounds like they had a good response there too.
- Following my last post about all of this I actually had someone writing a lengthy comment in favour of Tesco (!)
Tesco seem to be ticking the required boxes in that they have to have a “consultation” - the generally held believe is that this is likely to be more of a “presentation” - we’ll wait and see on that.
It’s not too surprising the results of Alan Cox and Barry Lewis’ poll has worked out that way - a clear majority (more than 2/3) against Tesco, but also a a clearswing in favour of the road. Well done guys for your work there - a good sized sample too. If anything this prooves the potential confusion over the road situation - the point is, it will not be a “relief road” it will be an ACCESS ROAD TO TESCO. Adding the road will mean some or all of the following:
- Moving/disrupting the Cricket and Sports and Social clubs
- Moving/Disrupting the Nailers Ground
- The demolition of Pyms solicitors - a well established local firm
- The destruction of the Triangle
- A large increase in through traffic
- The potential destruction of naturally rich riverside landscape (due to the above)
- The potential ruin of the potentially vibrant heritage inspired tourism trade that is likely to develop due to Belper being in the middle of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site
Bridge Street is considered to be badly congested - that is the received wisdom. I would challenge the belief that it is so bad that it can be tackled by other measures - such as vehicle weight restrictions. I cycle up and down it regularly - and it’s not so bad that I would avoid it - unlike the lower part of the A6 from Duffield onwards!
The other important thing is Tesco isn’t developing for the people of Belper.
Everyone (even my commentor) agreed that Belper doesn’t need another supermarket. So who is it for then - Milford, Duffield, Allestree, North Derby, Riply, Denby, Ambergate etc. After all Tesco now want to define local as within 30 minutes drive of where you live. By their definition - we could nip up to our “local” Tesco at Alfreton!
Therefore Belper doesn’t need a Tesco in the town - they already have a local one 15 minutes up the road!