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Tesco expansion 'could put town regeneration at risk'
TOWN centre regeneration would be put at risk if Tesco's expansion plans go ahead.
One of the parties speaking at the planning inquiry into the supermarket giant's proposals for the Lake Road store fears the expansion would lead to job losses, closed businesses and a fall in investment Island-wide, particularly in Douglas.
The group – made up of the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce, Douglas Development Partnership and Douglas Council – is one of four objecting parties speaking at the inquiry.
Speaking outside the inquiry, Chamber of Commerce retail committee chairman Stephen Bradley said: 'This is not an anti-Tesco campaign, it's a pro-Douglas town centre one. We would welcome Tesco to look at sites within the town centre.'
Tesco has applied to build a mezzanine level, which would sell items such as electrical goods, homeware and clothing.
The 54,000-feet development would more than double the size of the store.
Tesco representatives have argued that the development would have little impact on other shops and would boost the economy by creating 250 jobs.
In a report commissioned by Tesco, it was calculated that 10.1m would be taken away from Douglas retailers selling similar products by 2014.
But Mr Bradley said the figures underestimated the effect of the development, and it would have 'significant impact' on Douglas town centre, not just affect retailers selling competing products.
It is feared that the proposals – which also include separate car parks for each level – would create a 'one stop shop' that would drive visitors away from the high street. He said retailers welcomed competition and urged Tesco to look at empty sites – such as the former Bank of Scotland site on Prospect Hill.
Mr Bradley said: 'This extension, referred to by Tesco as a mezzanine but in reality a first floor with its own entrance covering the whole store area, potentially poses a direct threat to the future of all town centres around the Isle of Man.'
The Chamber of Commerce represents more than 350 members.
The inquiry, led by independent inspector David Bushby, has heard submissions from the parties on the impact of the scheme on local retailers. This week it looked at how traffic levels would be affected. But Tesco will not be allowed to include the results of its latest traffic survey after it submitted the evidence late to the inquiry.
The other objecting parties are: the Department of Local Government and the Environment and Department of Transport, Heritage Homes and Shoprite.
The inquiry came to a close on Friday, after hearing eight days of evidence, with advocates from both sides giving their closing statements.
Mr Bushby will now compile a report and make recommendations to the Council of Ministers.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
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YOUR COMMENTS
Well slap me in the face with a kipper, I cannot believe one of the objectors is Heritage Homes, what are they doing? Just like all the other retailers; Shoprite are you scared, did you worry about the small shops when you opened a store at every main town on our Island? In my opinion they are trying to force the store off the Island, but I would bet my last pound note that if Tesco's decided they have had enough of the pathetic whining from the locals and non locals and left, guess who would be there first knocking on Tesco's doors to buy the land so they can build more "apartments" and guess what, the Planning Office would approve it too. The Island is dying on its feet at this moment especially Douglas Centre, open your blinkered eyes, the more choice we can have the better it is for the consumer. I don't know, so correct me if I'm wrong, but have the general public being invited to give their view on this matter, after all it is US that spend the money!
ANNOYED MANXMAN
To annoyed Manxman(and anyone else thinking as he does) You want competition so it's o.k. for Tesco to expand the existing LARGE store.
You then say Douglas town centre has gone downhill. YOU CANNOT HAVE IT BOTH WAYS. Where a major supermarket has opened a large store the local town centre has lost most of the retail outlets that were there and you now only have charity shops. This has happened all over the U.K. and
is still happening. Tesco were stopped in one town because the planners saw what would happen to the town centre. IF TESCO GET THE GO AHEAD DOUGLAS IS DEAD!
P.R.H. West Yorkshire.
Have just been to Louth, Lincolnshire. The council have resisted Tesco and other supermarkets setting up there. The town is absolutely humming with activity, full of shoppers and full of choice. Some of the things PRH says are absolutely correct. You can't have a vibrant town centre and major supermarket expansion. It's a choice that people need to make - a major loss of shops, jobs and of local traders in return for up to 250 mostly low-grade jobs at Tesco or an opportunity to revitalise Douglas' centre as hopefully the economic recovery takes place. My vote is for keeping as much retailing profit as possible on the Island.
AB
What on earth is PRH West Yorkshire (presume he doesn't even live over here)going on about? I agree with Annoyed Manxman. Let us locals have a choice on where to spend out well earned pound. As a local with 2 young children there is no where on the island to buy reasonably priced clothing, toys and house hold goods etc. What's wrong with competition.....give us the choice, lets raise the bar in Douglas.
ANOTHER ANNOYED MANXMAN
I would like to clarify a few points here, particularly to P.R.H of West Yorkshire. I don't know whether P.R.H knows the geography of Douglas but firstly, to my way of thinking Tescos is a large store but no larger than the largest Shoprite in Douglas (Shoprite also have numerous other stores around the Island which Tesco do not). Tescos is not what I would class as an out of centre store being only a 5 minute walk from the main shopping street of Douglas so why it is constantly described as such. It is clearly part of Douglas centre. One of the Objectors, "Heritage Homes" are currently building a large complex of apartments next to Tescos so I can hardly think that Tescos should bear the brunt of claims of extra traffic. Heritage homes incidentally are the company that have been steadily buying up tracts of the Island to convert into flats etc. It is interesting that in Jersey, there can be seen many large signs around the Island saying "Out with Heritage Homes" I wonder why? Personally if Tescos are refused permission for this venture I would love to see them open a store in every Island town or City in outlets already designated as retail, perhaps a few Tesco Expresses as well eh! Which option do you think best for the Island?
LAMIA
PRH...... are you having a laugh? You are in West Yorkshire and probably have your pick of Supermarkets to choose from. WE DON'T and we don't see why it is being dictated to us where we can spend OUR hard earned money. The majority of the Manx public want the extended Tesco.
ANNOYED MANXWOMAN
To PRH West Yorkshire, Douglas is dead already in case you hadn't noticed, but if you live in Yorkshire you have much more choice anyway, Tesco should get the go ahead and give us something to go to Douglas for, bring it on!
CBC.
I fully agree with the comments of P.R.H.,and if Angry Manxman,and others,do not think that the very large expansion to their business by Isle of Man standards that Tesco is planning, would have little or no knock on effect to the viability of local businesses,they are sadly lacking in judgement.They may currently denigrate the pricing and quality of goods provided by local stores,and see Tesco charging to their aid in supplying a better choice at competitive prices,but how would they feel if the much smaller local businesses were gradually forced to close by possibly cynical pricing by an aggressive newcomer like Tesco,thus leaving them to charge how they wished? In food alone,I doubt if the Co-Op or Shoprite could withstand a serious,but probably very subtle, price war with a company with the purchasing power of Tesco,let alone the financial reserves that enable them to "lose" on prices until they controlled the bulk of the market,especially if they threw a few carefully sited small local Tescos into the equation.I`m not accusing Tesco of anything unduly nasty,after all,they are in business to make a profit,and I`m pefectly happy to use their store as it is occasionally-but a much bigger "superstore" I feel,is a step too far for a community of the size of the Isle of Man.
BRIAN G
Tesco have provided us with choice! what did we have before they came? For a while we had Safeway before they went into financial meltdown! Shoprite then sprinted in to take up the lease fearing rumours that ASDA was interested in the store, I cannot see the Douglas store making a profit! The Victoria Road store is not used to its full potential either, the failed Costa franchise is now hundreds of square feet of empty space! This rest is a miss-match of various imported brands with no real identity. If shoprite were to be transformed to the UK they would be considered similar to Netto rather than Tesco or any of the 'Big boys', there is no comparrison, thier failed Scottish entrprise prooved that. Having said that they also offer choice, as does M&S and Co-op as well as local outlets. Choice is what the public want, we all have our favorites, mine is Tesco and M&S. Personally I would welcome an expansion, it would give more choice over a larger range of goods, dont forget our Tesco is dearer than similar size Tescos in the NW UK, like other suppliers they still have to use the Steam Racket which isnt cheap, so thier commitment to expend investment in our island should be embraced, not discouraged at every opportunity.
Those who protest have thier own reasons for this and they usually come down to one thing! I dont fully see Dandaras concern as there was always a Tesco there before theY started developing, also a bus station and to the rear Hills Meadow (which is scruffy)maybe they had earmarked this land as part of thier future plans! A bigger Tesco will not have a dramatic effect on traffic increase, if it went to a vote the vast majority of the public will welcome the expansion, Tesco know this, they have done thier homework and would not expend money otherwise!!
Perhaps we should ditch our MHKs and get them to govern us!
TTTASH
With the ever-rising inflation rate people want foodstuffs and merchandise reasonably priced. Anyone that goes into a corner shop/small retail outlet knows that they will pay a lot more. We also all like home-grown/reared manx produce but it is not the cheapest and not financially viable to feed a big family or those on low income. Woolworths is sadly missed for the household goods that people bought there as it was good quality but cheap!! Therefore Tesco should be allowed to add a floor to their existing store to provide this. I am sure Mr Bradley is just looking after his business interests and indeed his well paid job! Tesco is the best thing that happened to this island, long may they continue!
ROSY
Following the inquiry in which the public do not seem to have been given a proper say. I would urge independent inspector David Bushby, if he reads this, to take into account the enormous public feeling indicated on these forums for the proposal by Tesco and give the go ahead for their enlargement.
LAMIA
No to a bigger Tesco in Douglas! Tesco should open branches in Ramsey, Peel and Castletown. Or Tesco Expresses at least! Stop ignoring the rest of the island!
PM
To LAMIA – how does 5-6 pro Tesco comments on this story equate to an 'enormous' outpouring of public feeling to double the size of the store? FYI the public did have a chance to have their say.
PAC
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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