Councillors defer decision on Blackburn convenience store

9:06am Saturday 26th January 2013 in News

COUNCILLORS have put off a vote on approving a new convenience shop in part of Blackburn carpet store.

They decided to make a second visit to the site in Cherry Tree because of concerns about parking and the effect on a nearby newsagents.

Blackburn with Darwen council planning committee deferred a decision on the proposal despite a warning it could spark a legal challenge.

Holts of Cherry Tree Carpet and Flooring Centre in Preston Old Road want to split the existing ground floor premises in two to allow Sainsbury’s to open a convenience store.

They also want to turn the upstairs offices into a gym and pilates room.

The firm told the council approval would generate a £250,000 investment creating 24 jobs.

Newsagent Stephen Worsley told the councillors the proposed store would have a damaging effect on his business 300 metres away and contravene borough guidelines on establishing new shops near existing ones.

The committee also received four written objections on grounds of parking problems, noise, disturbance and alcohol sales.

Tory planning spokesman Alan Cottam supported his concerns and said similar supermarket chain satellites had already closed existing small shops elsewhere in the borough.

He also doubted the applicant could find the promised 24 parking spaces for customers to avoid traffic chaos in Cherry Tree.

His concerns were backed by committee chairman Jim Smith and Suddell Liberal Democrat Paul Browne.

Coun Cottam originally proposed rejection but then asked the committee to defer a decision for a second site visit to examine whether the applicant’s proposal for 24 extra parking spaces for staff and customers was realistic.

The committee voted to put off the decision despite borough development manager Gavin Prescott warning it could open them to an appeal.

Coun Smith and coun Browne confirmed the applicant had said the proposed convenience store would be operated by national supermarket chain Sainsbury’s.

Louise Gill, of Holts’ agents Sunderland Peacock and Associates, had no comment to make on the decision.

No-one from Sainsbury’s was available for comment.

Comments (7)

9:39am Sat 26 Jan 13

TONY WALES says...

I suspect that the small Asian shopkeepers of the area will not like a supermarket giant such as Sainsbury's or Tesco moving into the area.
But because these giant companies have such wealth, and can afford the legal costs with appealing against such judgements, in the end they usually get what they want.

Sad really, but that is the fact of life because of the way we are now shopping.
Getting everything we want in one shopping trip to a large supermarket, or buying on the internet, either way will see the end of the local corner shop.

One tactic they use is to promise a large number of jobs (and lets face it any area needs jobs), or else start spending some money on a local project to try to win over the population. But in the end they will get their supermarket.
I suspect that the small Asian shopkeepers of the area will not like a supermarket giant such as Sainsbury's or Tesco moving into the area. But because these giant companies have such wealth, and can afford the legal costs with appealing against such judgements, in the end they usually get what they want. Sad really, but that is the fact of life because of the way we are now shopping. Getting everything we want in one shopping trip to a large supermarket, or buying on the internet, either way will see the end of the local corner shop. One tactic they use is to promise a large number of jobs (and lets face it any area needs jobs), or else start spending some money on a local project to try to win over the population. But in the end they will get their supermarket. TONY WALES

9:44am Sat 26 Jan 13

2 for 5p says...

So 24 jobs versus 1 newsagent and they have deferred it, Blackburn must be teaming with jobs.
So 24 jobs versus 1 newsagent and they have deferred it, Blackburn must be teaming with jobs. 2 for 5p

10:14am Sat 26 Jan 13

burner says...

Go West from this site towards Fenni. Under the Three Arches, only a few hundred yards away they have cleared land for a big new Spa store with a garage. Then turn left into Livesey Branch Road and you will find a sizeable Tesco with some 40 + parking spaces !!! It's called competition with parking spacesand it will lower prices, My Worsley.
Go West from this site towards Fenni. Under the Three Arches, only a few hundred yards away they have cleared land for a big new Spa store with a garage. Then turn left into Livesey Branch Road and you will find a sizeable Tesco with some 40 + parking spaces !!! It's called competition with parking spacesand it will lower prices, My Worsley. burner

11:51am Sat 26 Jan 13

Riverside 7 says...

24 jobs and 24 parking spaces - so where will the customers park?

Seriously, in the past lots of local councils have been conned by the promise of jobs by the large supermarkets.

I recall someone telling me a true story about a friend who applied for a job at Tesco's in Great Harwood.
Apparently Tesco's had promised the creation of 330 jobs at their new store there.

After the interview, he was told - 'Congratulations, I am pleased to offer you a job'. The problem was, he was offered just 2 hours per week.

He asked just what was the point of 2 hours per week when he needed a full time job to feed his family and declined their offer.

By offering small part-time jobs such as this, Tesco's can then claim that they have created numerous jobs.

Don't get fooled again !
24 jobs and 24 parking spaces - so where will the customers park? Seriously, in the past lots of local councils have been conned by the promise of jobs by the large supermarkets. I recall someone telling me a true story about a friend who applied for a job at Tesco's in Great Harwood. Apparently Tesco's had promised the creation of 330 jobs at their new store there. After the interview, he was told - 'Congratulations, I am pleased to offer you a job'. The problem was, he was offered just 2 hours per week. He asked just what was the point of 2 hours per week when he needed a full time job to feed his family and declined their offer. By offering small part-time jobs such as this, Tesco's can then claim that they have created numerous jobs. Don't get fooled again ! Riverside 7

2:54pm Sat 26 Jan 13

Dave_P says...

"COUNCILLORS have put off a vote on approving a new convenience shop in part of Blackburn carpet store. " -- until they receive enough backhanders for it to go through.
"COUNCILLORS have put off a vote on approving a new convenience shop in part of Blackburn carpet store. " -- until they receive enough backhanders for it to go through. Dave_P

3:28pm Sat 26 Jan 13

sen c ble says...

TONY WALES wrote:
I suspect that the small Asian shopkeepers of the area will not like a supermarket giant such as Sainsbury's or Tesco moving into the area.
But because these giant companies have such wealth, and can afford the legal costs with appealing against such judgements, in the end they usually get what they want.

Sad really, but that is the fact of life because of the way we are now shopping.
Getting everything we want in one shopping trip to a large supermarket, or buying on the internet, either way will see the end of the local corner shop.

One tactic they use is to promise a large number of jobs (and lets face it any area needs jobs), or else start spending some money on a local project to try to win over the population. But in the end they will get their supermarket.
What is it with you and asians?
Why do you always choose to refer to the 'asians' and bring in asian related topics for any comments that you make, and when referring to 'asians' which particular asian cultured background are you citing???
[quote][p][bold]TONY WALES[/bold] wrote: I suspect that the small Asian shopkeepers of the area will not like a supermarket giant such as Sainsbury's or Tesco moving into the area. But because these giant companies have such wealth, and can afford the legal costs with appealing against such judgements, in the end they usually get what they want. Sad really, but that is the fact of life because of the way we are now shopping. Getting everything we want in one shopping trip to a large supermarket, or buying on the internet, either way will see the end of the local corner shop. One tactic they use is to promise a large number of jobs (and lets face it any area needs jobs), or else start spending some money on a local project to try to win over the population. But in the end they will get their supermarket.[/p][/quote]What is it with you and asians? Why do you always choose to refer to the 'asians' and bring in asian related topics for any comments that you make, and when referring to 'asians' which particular asian cultured background are you citing??? sen c ble

6:23pm Sat 26 Jan 13

burner says...

Tony. . . you clearly do not know this area or you would not make such a foolish comment regarding the local shops. This is Fenniscliffe and Cherry Tree . . . granted there are Chinese people and some Scottish folk close by, do they count??? IDIOT !!
Tony. . . you clearly do not know this area or you would not make such a foolish comment regarding the local shops. This is Fenniscliffe and Cherry Tree . . . granted there are Chinese people and some Scottish folk close by, do they count??? IDIOT !! burner

Comments are closed on this article.

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree