A TESCO superstore planned for Salford could force a hundred businesses to close, it is claimed.
The owners of Salford Shopping City in Pendleton say it is facing 'decimation' if a vast stand-alone Tesco is built next to it.
Previous plans had ensured that both the shopping centre and the proposed Tesco store would be developed in partnership to guarantee the two sites were fully linked.
But the supermarket giant has announced plans to build a store on the site of St James RC Primary opposite the shopping mall.
Les Rylance, manger of Salford Shopping City, said: "We have been in discussion with Tesco and Salford council for over six years and have spent a lot of time, money and enthusiasm working on these plans.
"An integrated scheme would create a much more vibrant shopping experience making Salford an important retail centre.
"Our proposal would create many more permanent jobs in the area, reduce crime and improve car parking and road safety."
He claimed Tesco and the council had decided to put 'profit before the needs of local people' by developing an enormous 140,000 sq ft Tesco Extra which would include a wide range of non-food goods such as clothing, electrical appliances and homeware which would compete directly with existing smaller retailers at the shopping centre.
Mr Rylance said: "An integrated scheme had been the aspiration of Salford who now seem to have made a u-turn. The council's own planning guidance for the site states that any proposed store must facilitate links with Salford Shopping City."
Robert Gubbay, from PCP, the owners of Shopping City, said: "The council believe they would be saving money by going ahead with a standalone Tesco store because this would enable them to sell the land to Tesco for a little more money. In reality, it would be the most expensive option due to the hugely negative impact on local businesses - many of which will have to close.
"If the council permit the store to be built as a standalone development it would be repeating the mistake it made in Eccles by not integrating Morrisons within the town centre. The effects in Salford would be much worse as the proposed Tesco is far larger than the Morrisons store in Eccles.
"Salford council has a responsibility to its residents and tax payers. Ensuring exiting businesses have a future and remain viable should be a priority."
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Closure fear over Tesco plan
July 07, 2009
Showing comments 1 to 16 and replies | View All
Savage Mandarin, Manchester (07/07/2009 at 08:43)
Like either Tescos or the Council will give a damn: Tescos doesn't want competition, and the Council wants the money. End of debate. Another win for Tesco.
Savage Mandarin, Manchester (07/07/2009 at 08:44)
N Harris, STALYBRIDGE (07/07/2009 at 09:09)
There is therefore little direct financial advantage for a Council to approve a planning application.
FrostySnowman (07/07/2009 at 09:10)
chris (07/07/2009 at 09:14)
Black Flag (07/07/2009 at 09:59)
A local authority should never have an obligation to protect special interest groups. If existing businesses are only viable because the council blocks competition, they aren't really viable.
Dr Armadillo (07/07/2009 at 12:27)
steve wilson (07/07/2009 at 13:00)
Black Flag (07/07/2009 at 13:33)
Which wouldn't be an issue if people didn't choose to shop their, but they do. The simple fact is that people seem to prefer getting the bulk of their shopping in supermarkets and even if I disapproved of that, I wouldn't dream of trying to force my opinion on others. If people aren't harming me, then what they choose to do is none of my business.
"it is short sighted people like you who cannot see where this will all end"
Enlighten me.
Technobabble, Manchester (07/07/2009 at 14:07)
How exactly is the Morrisons in Eccles NOT integrated with the town centre, exactly?? Its right next to the bus station and tram terminus, and 20 seconds walk over the road from the rest of the precinct; they couldn't have put it any closer without building ON the precinct itself!! Of course, Tesco's plan for Eccles was for a wacking great store on the West One site, which even with the proposed road bridge they said they'd build, would be most definately outside of the existing defined boundary for the town centre.
As for the precinct at Pendleton, if Tesco do build their megastore, then what do you think will happen to the small Tesco that's already there?? It'll close, of course. And with it a major reason for people to go to Salford Shopping City in the first place. I mean, if they charge you £1 to park there whether you buy anything or not, and a further 20p for using the loo, then unless you are getting the weekly food shop in, there is no value in going there.
Knowall, stretford end (07/07/2009 at 19:14)
bradmcr, Salford (07/07/2009 at 22:17)
A complete redesign of the centre and a Morrisons on site and I would definitely shop there.
Johny M, Longsight (08/07/2009 at 02:15)
And look at their wide range of Fair Trade (not!)!
And look at their arrogance over their oversize building in Stockport.
If you court a bully you can't be surprised when you get bullied.
Seen it Before, Manchester.
waywardweastie (09/07/2009 at 06:30)
Tesco should be forced to make a deal with the local traders, otherwise the monopoly wins.
lizard (09/07/2009 at 11:33)
How many Tesco stores in Israel ?.. cant stand Tesco, I never shop there!, but many do, too many!, it would take all those not to before Tesco shares the fate that the precinct shops will face on opening another grotesque Tesco store, and of course what will happen to the land the precinct "once stood on"?. Having said all that, the precinct itself killed off far more businesses than it created, so maybe it is a case of "what comes around, goes around", and, as in the past, the only winners are the councillors and developers who destroy anything in the way of their lucre.
jaxx , salford (12/07/2009 at 13:45)