Guardian News
Residents group: 'Middlewich would be dominated by Tesco megastore'
9:31am Friday 3rd February 2012
MIDDLEWICH’S market town would be dominated by a megastore if Tesco’s plans are approved, a new residents’ group has warned.
Campaigners have set up a group called Residents Against Tesco Expansion (RATE) to fight the grocery giant’s plans to more than triple the size of its Southway store.
They fear that the scale of the supermarket would dramatically alter the historic town’s character.
Patricia Cooley, of St Ann’s Road, said: “What I’ve picked up is that people want the site around the current store to be developed.
“It’s become an eye sore and ruining the heart of the town.
“Many people were happy with what was previously proposed by Tesco in 2009 but are enraged about the current plans.
“At the moment, St Michael’s Church is the landmark - if we’re not careful this will take its place.”
Matt Styles, a sales executive who lives in Manor Park, added: “The main thing to get across is that we don’t have anything against Tesco - it employs people in the community - but its the size of the store.
“We love Middlewich and want to see a change for the good which fits in with the town’s character.
“The shop doctor pointed out that Wheelock Street would benefit from a cafe culture. If there’s a huge superstore dominating the high street that will contradict that.”
RATE members also fear that Tesco’s plans will prompt traffic chaos in St Ann’s Road and Wheelock Street.
Graham Cooley, 66, said: “It’s a David and Goliath battle. We don’t know if we’ll get anywhere but we’ve got to do something.”
But Matthew Magee, spokesman for Tesco, said that 497 people have written letters in support of the plans with just 30 writing letters of objection.
He added: "Residents of Middlewich have consistently and overwhelmingly supported our new store proposals.
"Focusing on food, the store is the right size to draw shoppers into Middlewich town centre and help to bring trade for other businesses, while creating around 150 new jobs.
"Our substantial investment in the local road network as part of the proposals will keep vehicles flowing around our store and the wider town centre."
- RATE’s next meeting is at The White Bear in Wheelock Street on Monday, February 6, at 7.30pm. All are welcome.
- To sign the group’s online petition, visit voteformiddlewich.co.uk