Public inquiry into plans for new Tesco superstore

Pamela Welsh

September 09, 2010

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Artist's impression of proposed Tesco store in Eccles

Plans for a controversial Tesco superstore in Eccles town centre face a public inquiry.

The proposals to create the store at the site of West One will be heard by the Secretary of State on December 7.

Last year, the application for the West One site – a struggling retail park on the edge of Eccles – was approved by council planners.

But the owners of Eccles Precinct – Threadneedle – opposed the plan, claiming it would ‘decimate’ the area.

Threadneedle submitted a separate application for the redevelopment of the town centre, including their own supermarket and multi-storey car
park.

This outline application was also approved last summer, but no supermarkets have yet confirmed their interest.

It is understood that work will not begin on the site until the outcome of the public inquiry has been announced next year.

The Tesco store could create 400 jobs – many for the local long-term unemployed.

New footbridge

If the plans are approved by the government, the supermarket giant will also build a new footbridge across Gilda Brook Road to link it with Eccles town centre.

But local businesses are against the plans, claiming they will sound the death knell for the town centre.

Andrew Booth, of Booth’s Furniture Store in Church Street, said: “Eccles might be a sinking ship but we have to stop it sinking and we have to do it now. The problem we’ve got is that if the Tesco proposal gets through, the precinct one won’t work.”

He added: “Even Boots have said that if Tesco does move to West One, they will leave Eccles precinct and go out there too.

“It’s obviously a concern for the traders.”

A spokesman for the Department of Communities and Local Government confirmed there would be a public inquiry into the West One plan in December, with a decision expected in February 2011.

There will be no inquiry into Threadneedle’s plans.

Tesco and Threadneedle declined to comment.

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FLEA, MANCHESTER (09/09/2010 at 06:28)

Don't you just love Tesco!!

Algernon Blabbermouth, eccles (09/09/2010 at 08:01)

This proposed store at West One is in Salford.
As we speak we already have a Tesco Express in Patricroft,a little over a mile away...a a mile to the north in Monton,we have another being built in Monton,which will decimate the few shops that remain,not to mention the traffic chaos that will result!
Are we really to suffer yet another Tesco in the area?

tigger34, near shaw (09/09/2010 at 08:07)

Look, whats the point of having the enquiry- Tescos will win by flashing wads of cash or offering to pay for things (aka Middleton ).

thoughtful, East of Manchester (09/09/2010 at 09:01)

This is a waste of time & public money! Tescos know how to play the game, and thanks to Nu Liebor, who changed the planning regulations, Tesco will present one plan which meets public approval, and once planning permission is given, will change the plans (just like they did in the Greenfield development). No consultation is needed and the first the public will know about it is when the building is different from what was discussed.

Savage Mandarin, Manchester (09/09/2010 at 09:22)

Don't like it? Stop shopping at Tesco. I have. Hard work, but satisfying......

Proper Sentences (09/09/2010 at 09:31)

Tesco are opening store both Extra, Metro and large stores (not quite in the Extra catogory) at a rate of around 40 a year across the UK. Therefore in 10 years time there will be an extra 400 Tesco alone plus the 2000 they already have.50% of all employable people will be working in either Supermarkets,and fastfood chains. It is ludricious. Every town where Tesco arrives all the smaller shop goes pop. However the fault is ours alone, stop shopping in them.

Rolo Tomasi, Ed Exleys Mind (09/09/2010 at 16:10)

I love the irony of your user name being 'Proper Sentences' , yet you fail to use any.

irrelevant, Salford (09/09/2010 at 09:39)

Indeed. Look at what they did just down in Stockport - built a store 20% larger than they had approval for, and basically got away with it. Their whole attitude is to just do what the heck they want. It's just one of the many reasons I do not, and will not, use them.

Breezeblock, Manchester (09/09/2010 at 09:56)

I've heard Eccles is to be renamed Tesccles or similar.

Knowsleyman, Paphos (09/09/2010 at 12:32)

What all the complainers are choosing to ignore is that Tesco is a great BRITISH company and its success should be applauded.

If the shopping public did not like them they would not grow. The FACT remains that the shopping public, in general, love them.

If the shopping public kept away they would close down just in the same way that many of the local overpriced shops have.

Cheesy Wotsit, Manchester (09/09/2010 at 12:57)

In Stockport, as mentioned by Irrelevant of Salford, Tesco threw enough money at the Council and favours to get what they wanted. Those that live in Stockport (myself included) will know that the large Portwood roundabout nearby was remodelled soon after the Tesco opened.

Coincidence? I think not... (and whatever they are building over the road from Tesco - I hope its retail - I hope it hits them hard as they deserve the competition!)

Prestwich Red, Prestwich (09/09/2010 at 13:00)

Tesco will get whatever they want – public outcry or not.

Also keep an eye out for the plans mysteriously ‘changing’ after they have been approved.

charlie brown (09/09/2010 at 13:20)

tesco will put up stores when and where they like they have the money and the power and no which hands to grease( every little helps )

Rolo Tomasi, Ed Exleys Mind (09/09/2010 at 14:54)

I do not understand why there is so much anti-Tesco vitriol spewed out by people in this country. A Great British success comes into an area and redevelops waste land, creates hundreds of new jobs and in some cases provides new local amenities that some areas have not had for years. The high street and town centre is struggling because the way we live our lives is very different to how it was decades ago, and not because Tesco's/Asda/Sainsburys et al have built a supermarket down the road. Many people do not live close to where they work anymore and 9 to 5 is a long past concept. Town centres and local high streets did not change in time to meet their customers needs and are now suffering the consequences, losing out to companies that provide free parking, 24 hour opening and all you need under one roof. Stop criticising the big supermarkets and embrace change in the way we all live our lives now and not in some bygone age. For one day, Tesco will be seen as old hat and will cease to be.

Bowt'ner, Bowt'n (09/09/2010 at 14:55)

Two rats sat looking up at a Tesco. One turns to the other and says "Apparently, you're never more than 30 feet away from one these days".

Donald, manchester (09/09/2010 at 15:45)

No worry then....decimate meaning one tenth of area will be affected, not annihilation..

Ben Clark (09/09/2010 at 18:23)

I love the "will create 400 new jobs" What about those lost in local private shops and firms, and even those larger firms forced to move, because the only rent units and not own them.

'arry , Arbroath (09/09/2010 at 20:14)

Tesco or no Tesco, Eccles died a long time ago. It was a thriving centre as long as there was a main street. When the motorway came the main street was cut off. No buses went down it, few people walked along it. A precinct was built, and I did a piece of simple market research for a major paint manufacturer thinking of locating there. When I spoke to most of the shop keepers they were almost all unhappy with the new precinct. This was both because of the stanrdard of construction (leaking roofs and other problems) and because of the loss of many of the customers as a result of the new town layout.

Granted, supermarkets were, even then, eroding the trade of the local butcher, baker, greengrocer and grocer, but the change in Eccles was dramatic, sudden and related to the change in the main road through the town. I do not suppose Morrisons moving where they did helped matters as it was now a toil to go over the road and up the hill to a now dying precinct. The loss of housing to the precinct also probably did not help.

Is it not time for a complete rethink? From what I see many of the shops there do not threaten Tesco as their business doesn't really overlap. Perhaps people should live there again? And can we have the 'Swap Shop' back please?

Roadrunner, Irlam (09/09/2010 at 21:52)

I live in Irlam and never use the Tesco there, I commute to Eccles and use Morrison's.
Far better bargains and quality foodstuffs especially the meat counter.

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