BOSSES at Great Harwood’s Co-op claim they would be forced to close within a year if a Tesco was given permission to open a superstore in town.

On the first of a four-day public inquiry into whether Tesco should be allowed to build a Queen Street store, Co-op’s representative said the move would see 98 jobs at Co-op “go to the wall” and also ‘take £20,000 from small businesses’.

Tesco’s representative hit back that Co-op was not providing enough choice to prevent shoppers spending in other town centres.

Speaking for Tesco, Patrick Clarkson, said the new store would create 150 jobs for the area and claw back spending currently being leaked to other town centres.

He said: “For the first time Great Harwood are being offered a superstore which can serve their needs.

“People travel to Accrington and Clitheroe which is not only inconvenient for them but takes money away from the town centre.

“Co-op has attempted to this in the past, but has not succeeded.”

Co-op representative Roger Lancaster said: “In spite of what has been said, Co-op has operated a very good store in this area since 2001. We have also obtained planning permission for a 900 square metre extension. If Tesco open, not only will we not be able to extend, but in all probability will close in between six to12 months.”

He also claimed Co-op was more central to the town centre than the Tesco would be, and said the loss of the Co-op would leave an “empty space” in the town centre.

He also said the Tesco store would increase the shopping floor-space in Great Harwood by 95 per cent, adding: “This proposal is totally out of scale for Great Harwood.”

Mr Lancaster also claimed Tesco would “plunder” neighbouring businesses: “It is not on the “edge” of the town centre, it is outside the town center and will be a one-stop shop. The walk from the site into town is tortuous, past service bays and petrol station entrances, shoppers will not make linked journeys.”

On behalf of Hyndburn Borough Council, Matthew Copeland, said the plan would ‘recycle’ previously developed land without endangering 73 jobs at Metflex rubber components. The factory, which currently occupies the proposed Tesco site, has received planning permission to relocate.

Mr Copeland said it was proven that many Great Harwood residents did their main food shopping outside the area, showing existing stores did not meet their needs. He also said the location of the store on the edge of the town centre would encourage more trade in the town centre.

Hyndburn Council’s Planning Committee had previously wanted to approve the Tesco application for a superstore, car park, service yard, access and landscaping in Queen Street. However the Local Government Office in Manchester, ordered a four-day public inquiry, which began on Tuesday.

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