A new Tesco Express superstore has opened in the small town of Westhoughton, despite strong local protest.
The new store, less than four miles away from a ‘main’ Tesco Extra superstore has been built in response to Sainsbury’s plans to build a supermarket in the town.
The new store on Manchester Road employs 24 staff that has been trained at other Tesco stores.
The shop will be open between 6am and 11pm seven days a week.
The store offers customers fresh produce, ready meals and snacks as well as newspapers and magazines.
Plans were submitted for the store nearly a year ago, amid speculation that Sainsbury’s were planning to increase their presence in the area.
Tesco were quick to submit plans to Bolton Council to replace a car showroom, which shut down last year.
The new development means tough competition to local convenience shops, including the Here To Please You Store opposite the new store.
David Bridge, 41, has owned the store for 15 years. He said: “I strongly petitioned against it. Since it’s been open, I’ve lost 50 per cent of my business. It’s evened out to about 30 per cent less at the moment. Most of the regulars are still coming but it’s going to be a tough year. I think that if I can get through this year with a bit of help from the bank, I should be ok”.
South Westhoughton Councillor David Chadwick established the Save Westhoughton Act Now (SWAN) organisation 10 years ago to protect the areas of green around the town.
He said: “We didn’t object to the Tesco Express being built. It went through because it was a brownfield site. This is a personal opinion, I just feel sorry for David at the Here To Please You Store. Now David is in the situation where Tesco want to open until 11 at night, so it is unfair competition really.”
A source within the new store said that management were happy with the store’s early business. The source said: “Things have been going really well, we’ve been really busy and people seem to like it”.
Monday, 21 April 2008
28 within five miles - Too many supermarkets? Or just super?
The ongoing feud between the supermarket giants has been fierce for years. Now it seems that even the smallest suburban town is becoming the battleground.
Westhoughton sits between Wigan and Bolton, five miles from each town. For the last 10 years, both a Co-op Late Shop as well as a Food Market has served it.
Some Westhoughton residents, or ‘kaew-yeds’ (pronounced ‘cow-yeds’) as they are locally known, have voiced their frustration over the Co-op’s “monopoly” over the food sector in the town.
Despite these claims, Westhoughton could be said to have a wide range of choice of supermarkets.
As seen in the accompanying map, within five miles of Westhoughton, there are 27 supermarkets, 28 including the new Sainsbury’s, which is set to be open by late 2009.
This does not include the many corner shops and newsagents where everyday groceries can be bought.
For 10 years Save Westhoughton Act Now (SWAN) has been fending off development of the green areas of the town.
Councillor David Chadwick, who will become Westhoughton’s mayor on May 1, is the chairman of the organisation.
Cllr Chadwick, who is also the leader of Westhoughton Town Council said that SWAN’s reputation preceded itself. He said: “People perceive SWAN to be against all building. We aren’t against all building, we just want to protect the green areas around the town, although latterly we’ve started to protect one or two more brownfield sites. Brownfield sites are obviously harder to defend. We’re still fortunate in that we’ve still got three areas that are green belt.
“SWAN is a very thoughtful organisation, we don’t object to things that are within the planning guidelines. The thing with planning applications is that people get very emotive. What we try to do is to take a step back and try to think about what it might be that we can put up a reasonable argument to try and defeat that planning application,” he added.
Although SWAN didn’t challenge Tesco when they applied to build a store on Manchester Road, some locals petitioned against it. But when Sainsbury’s applied to build a supermarket in Westhoughton Town Centre, SWAN objected to the plans.
Sainsbury’s have applied to build the store where Westhoughton Cricket Club currently is, on Cricketer’s Way. The club have found an alternative ground.
The SWAN website states: “The cricket club recently invested in the existing clubhouse and facilities, however, we understand a substantial offer has been made for the site by the retail giant. A new cricket club will offer the promise of improved sporting facilities and benefits to local clubs”.
Cllr Chadwick said: “I believe that it is the wrong size supermarket in the wrong location. I, and SWAN objected to the Sainsbury’s development being in that location. We don’t object to a supermarket per se. What you’ve got is a cricket field, which is reputed to be one of the best in the Bolton League, we try to defend it. We defended it previously against housing but obviously it proved a little more difficult. We believe that some of the arguments that were put up were flawed. If you put a supermarket there, it cannot fail to have an effect on the town centre”.
Cllr Chadwick said that some of the planning councillors did not take evidence against the plans seriously. “I was disappointed in the that some of the planning councillors were very dismissive of the Environment Agency’s report which said that there was a significant flood risk”, he said.
One of the arguments that Sainsbury’s put forward to convince residents was that it would be an eco-friendly store, and presented plans to place three wind turbines to partially power the store. The future mayor of Westhoughton said that the proposals were unworkable.
He said: “The other thing was about the carbon footprint. We said that if Sainsbury’s were trying to reduce their carbon footprint for Westhoughton resident, why did they send consultation information out to Hindley, Atherton, Tyldesley and other parts of Bolton. Clearly they’re intending to get more people into Westhoughton. That brings more cars and more congestion.
“I have a friend who is very knowledgeable about these kinds of things, he works in petrol-chemicals. He doesn’t believe that three or four wind turbines will have any significant impact on the energy consumption of the store. I think it’s just a sop to the green lobby. I could be wrong, but as I say, my friend is pretty clued up on these things,” he said.
According to the Bolton Council Planning website, there were almost 500 consultation letters sent out to nearby residents. Of the 492 letters, there were 26 official responses to the plans; 24 against and two in favour with two petitions handed in.
One of the main arguments against the plans is that the supermarket should have been built on a nearby site, which has since been redeveloped. Cllr Chadwick agreed with the argument, but also saw the lighter side of Sainsbury’s actions. He said: “When the original plans went in for Pavilion Square, the houses were meant to be a supermarket. Sainsbury’s were one of the companies who were asked whether they would be interested in it, and they said no. But what happened was that the Co-op decided that they would build one nearby. Here we are a couple of years later and Sainsbury’s say: “can we build a supermarket?” It’s quite ironic in that respect.”
Westhoughton sits between Wigan and Bolton, five miles from each town. For the last 10 years, both a Co-op Late Shop as well as a Food Market has served it.
Some Westhoughton residents, or ‘kaew-yeds’ (pronounced ‘cow-yeds’) as they are locally known, have voiced their frustration over the Co-op’s “monopoly” over the food sector in the town.
Despite these claims, Westhoughton could be said to have a wide range of choice of supermarkets.
As seen in the accompanying map, within five miles of Westhoughton, there are 27 supermarkets, 28 including the new Sainsbury’s, which is set to be open by late 2009.
This does not include the many corner shops and newsagents where everyday groceries can be bought.
For 10 years Save Westhoughton Act Now (SWAN) has been fending off development of the green areas of the town.
Councillor David Chadwick, who will become Westhoughton’s mayor on May 1, is the chairman of the organisation.
Cllr Chadwick, who is also the leader of Westhoughton Town Council said that SWAN’s reputation preceded itself. He said: “People perceive SWAN to be against all building. We aren’t against all building, we just want to protect the green areas around the town, although latterly we’ve started to protect one or two more brownfield sites. Brownfield sites are obviously harder to defend. We’re still fortunate in that we’ve still got three areas that are green belt.
“SWAN is a very thoughtful organisation, we don’t object to things that are within the planning guidelines. The thing with planning applications is that people get very emotive. What we try to do is to take a step back and try to think about what it might be that we can put up a reasonable argument to try and defeat that planning application,” he added.
Although SWAN didn’t challenge Tesco when they applied to build a store on Manchester Road, some locals petitioned against it. But when Sainsbury’s applied to build a supermarket in Westhoughton Town Centre, SWAN objected to the plans.
Sainsbury’s have applied to build the store where Westhoughton Cricket Club currently is, on Cricketer’s Way. The club have found an alternative ground.
The SWAN website states: “The cricket club recently invested in the existing clubhouse and facilities, however, we understand a substantial offer has been made for the site by the retail giant. A new cricket club will offer the promise of improved sporting facilities and benefits to local clubs”.
Cllr Chadwick said: “I believe that it is the wrong size supermarket in the wrong location. I, and SWAN objected to the Sainsbury’s development being in that location. We don’t object to a supermarket per se. What you’ve got is a cricket field, which is reputed to be one of the best in the Bolton League, we try to defend it. We defended it previously against housing but obviously it proved a little more difficult. We believe that some of the arguments that were put up were flawed. If you put a supermarket there, it cannot fail to have an effect on the town centre”.
Cllr Chadwick said that some of the planning councillors did not take evidence against the plans seriously. “I was disappointed in the that some of the planning councillors were very dismissive of the Environment Agency’s report which said that there was a significant flood risk”, he said.
One of the arguments that Sainsbury’s put forward to convince residents was that it would be an eco-friendly store, and presented plans to place three wind turbines to partially power the store. The future mayor of Westhoughton said that the proposals were unworkable.
He said: “The other thing was about the carbon footprint. We said that if Sainsbury’s were trying to reduce their carbon footprint for Westhoughton resident, why did they send consultation information out to Hindley, Atherton, Tyldesley and other parts of Bolton. Clearly they’re intending to get more people into Westhoughton. That brings more cars and more congestion.
“I have a friend who is very knowledgeable about these kinds of things, he works in petrol-chemicals. He doesn’t believe that three or four wind turbines will have any significant impact on the energy consumption of the store. I think it’s just a sop to the green lobby. I could be wrong, but as I say, my friend is pretty clued up on these things,” he said.
According to the Bolton Council Planning website, there were almost 500 consultation letters sent out to nearby residents. Of the 492 letters, there were 26 official responses to the plans; 24 against and two in favour with two petitions handed in.
One of the main arguments against the plans is that the supermarket should have been built on a nearby site, which has since been redeveloped. Cllr Chadwick agreed with the argument, but also saw the lighter side of Sainsbury’s actions. He said: “When the original plans went in for Pavilion Square, the houses were meant to be a supermarket. Sainsbury’s were one of the companies who were asked whether they would be interested in it, and they said no. But what happened was that the Co-op decided that they would build one nearby. Here we are a couple of years later and Sainsbury’s say: “can we build a supermarket?” It’s quite ironic in that respect.”
Tuesday, 26 February 2008
Blogger journalists
Should journalists blog? I'm not sure. In my previous blog, I mentioned Nick Robinson, who in today's blog says that he caused "quite a stir", and led to at least 52 MP's signing an early day motion against his blog yesterday.
Should he even be blogging though? We generally look to journalists for facts and analysis, not their opinion - surely that's for columnists and more generally, none-journalists to comment on the news. This blurs the boundary between fact and opinion, and is dangerous. How do we know what Nick says on the news tonight is factual, and not him just spouting some theories and his opinion? It will be interesting to see whether the BBC stop him blogging, seeing as many MPs view his blog and he has a considerable amount of sway given his public image.
Should he even be blogging though? We generally look to journalists for facts and analysis, not their opinion - surely that's for columnists and more generally, none-journalists to comment on the news. This blurs the boundary between fact and opinion, and is dangerous. How do we know what Nick says on the news tonight is factual, and not him just spouting some theories and his opinion? It will be interesting to see whether the BBC stop him blogging, seeing as many MPs view his blog and he has a considerable amount of sway given his public image.
Monday, 25 February 2008
Martin circles the drain
Michael Martin, speaker of the Commons, says that he hasn't harmed Parliament. Damning evidence has been presented without a denial in sight. No spin, no twists, nothing. Just a denial. No bones to gnaw on for the press, yet. Not many politicians criticising the speaker, notes Nick Robinson. No jumping ship and firing at the Scot, just Martin's assistant blaming someone else, which has been the Labour blanket response to modern crises: "Wasn't my fault. Blame him".
Can't be long before the knives are out though, the only other political news of the day was Brown dithering on runways at Heathrow. Green stuff. Great. Anybody else suffering from green fatigue? I think Martin's just suffering from fatigue.
Can't be long before the knives are out though, the only other political news of the day was Brown dithering on runways at Heathrow. Green stuff. Great. Anybody else suffering from green fatigue? I think Martin's just suffering from fatigue.
Monday, 11 February 2008
Obama obliterates obsolete opponents, obviously
Check these screegrabs. PrObama or what? Now I can understand The Times and The Guardian plugging Obama (main readership in England - English people can't vote in the US elections), but the Beeb have a world renown reputation for truth and fairness (although not of late) and I presume has a much larger American readership than the two newspapers, so shouldn't they be more equal? It would be nice to see anyway.
But I think the content of the coverage has been good on the whole, mostly taking the perspective of the American people rather than what Obama/Hillary/McCain will mean for UK politics. Having said that, there is a video on The Times' pages showing a little vox-pop of people around The Times HQ and how much they are "into" the elections. Not sure why. I'm sure nearer the time we'll see a much more "yes, but what does this mean for us" type agenda, but for the moment, its decent coverage, however biased it is.
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