9:20am Sunday 14th March 2010
A battle to stop a supermarket giant from coming to Narberth is being mounted by the town’s traders and shoppers.
The Co-operative hopes to occupy the retail part of a new £1.5million redevelopment on the site of the former Brains Brewery in Spring Gardens.
Although the 10,000 square foot shop would bring dozens of the jobs to the town, there are concerns at the effect the development would have on Narberth’s many independent retailers.
About 1,000 individual letters of opposition have been signed in the town and are being delivered to Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning department.
Local AM Angela Burns and Conservative parliamentary candidate Simon Hart have added their voices to the campaign.
“Narberth traders are facing a really tough few months, with rates going through the roof, car parking charges introduced and now this,” said Mrs Burns.
“The Co-op will have an unfair advantage in that it can provide free parking and will have lower rates because it is on the edge of town.
“If we are forced down a retail route for the edge of town sites like this one, then it must be a development that complements and enhances the town.
“It needs to draw more people to the town, increase the footfall in the High Street and ensure that areas such as Market Square and St James Street don’t become isolated.”
Mr Hart added: “Narberth has become the jewel in Pembrokeshire’s retail crown and it would be a great pity to see an edge of town store spoil that.”
“I fear that people won’t bother to walk in from an edge of town supermarket and that the little shops will lose much of that passing trade.”
The company behind the development is Actoris, which is in a joint venture partnership with Waterstone Estates.
A planning application has been submitted by Douglas Gregg (Cross Hands) Ltd, for part demolition, change of use and extension for a Class A1 retail food store at the former Brains Brewery and retail shop in Spring Gardens.
Narberth Town Council has already lodged objections to the plan on several grounds, claiming the development would do irreversible harm to the community.
A spokesman for The Co-operative Group said: “The Co-operative has agreed terms to occupy a new 10,000 square foot food store in Narberth and is supporting the planning application.”
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