Opposition to new Bloxwich supermarket
Opposition to new Bloxwich supermarket
The YamYam 19 Jan 10
More than 300 people have signed a petition opposing plans to open a Tesco Express convenience store in Lichfield Road, Bloxwich fearing that the supermarket giant will harm trade at existing local businesses.
Tesco seem to be developing a close working relationship with Walsall Council after the town centre college was demolished to make way for a new superstore and the operation of Brownhills market reduced to one day per week and a possible re-location. The down-sizing of the market precedes a planning application by Tesco to expand its Brownhills outlet.
As well as a possible negative impact on local traders, campaigners fear that a new supermarket would add to traffic congestion on an already busy route. Local businessman, Randhir Singh, said: “The people who have signed the petition strongly object to making this dangerous road even more dangerous.
“There is a school nearby with 400 pupils and it’s chaos just getting the kids to the school, and especially when they are finished at about 3-45pm. It`s only a small site and it`s going to cause a lot of problems.
“It will harm my business. It will probably close me down. We are only small and struggling in the credit crunch, so my livelihood is on the line.”
The store is to be built on the site of the former Field Service Station and is close to two primary schools and TP Riley Secondary School, now know as Walsall Academy.
A Walsall Council consultation claims that 300 people are in favour of the building of the store with respondents citing “regeneration” as their main reason for approval. Melanie Chiswell, corporate affairs manager for Tesco, said; "The feedback from Bloxwich residents has been extremely encouraging.
"With 94 per cent of all respondents registering their support for the scheme, it seems our proposals fulfil the aspirations and requirements that many local residents have for the area."
The council will discuss the proposal in February.
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