NEWS CHANNEL
Published: 26/03/2009 00:00 -
Updated: 23/02/2010 13:35
Around 500 people flocked to find out more about Tesco's plans for a new store in Newport Pagnell at an information session held over the last two days.
MK NEWS stood outside Tesco's session at The Canon pub, in the High Street, last night to ask people their views.
(media 1651)
Tesco is set to submit plans for a supermarket on the old Aston Martin site on Tickford Street.
Information sessions were held in the pub on Tuesday and Wednesday where residents could look at the initial proposals and fire questions at representatives from the supermaket.
Harry Dhoter, who has run the Londis shop in Tickford Street for 23 years, said his store could close if Tesco opens next door.
Liz Miles, resident of Wolverton Road, Newport Pagnell said: "They are saying that it will help local businesses but I don't think it will benefit them at all.
"Because Tesco provide such a wide range of goods it is bound to affect Newport Pagnell."
Adrian Sargeant, from Green Park, said: "If people want to go to a big store they can go to Kingston, which is only five minutes in the car. We just do not need it. We have already got two food stores."
"People from other areas will come here instead of down to the bigger stores and make traffic worse."
Maggie Smith, who lives in Priory Street, said according to plans - which are vague and may change during the planning process - her house will overlook where the lorries enter the store.
"I have spoken to an estate agent who said the value of my house is likely to go down," she said.
"I am not against change but in a small town like Newport Pagnell it will be detrimental.
"Tesco say there would be room in the future to expand the shop another 5,000 feet and it will have parking for 190 vehicles - Tickford Street is potholed already."
Paul Godfrey, from Lagonda Close, Newport Pagnell said: "I do not think there is a desire for it here. Everyone is concerned about the impact on traffic and local traders.
"Everyone likes Newport Pagnell at the moment; it is a nice small market town."
Tesco declined to speak on camera, but the retailers claims the store would be 15,000 square feet, less than half the size of the current Wolverton store, and could create around 157 full and part-time jobs.
Tony Fletcher, corporate affairs manager for Tesco, said: "We have monitored where people travel to shop and have found that many travel ten or fifteen minutes away. The area is not being well served."
"These are the very early stages. The plans will go out for public consultation when the outline planning application is submitted. At the moment we are just getting an initial reaction."
"We are not planning a cafe, pharmacy or opticians on the site. Little businesses should benefit as people will not have to go outside of Newport Pagnell for their food shop."
MK NEWS stood outside Tesco's session at The Canon pub, in the High Street, last night to ask people their views.
(media 1651)
Tesco is set to submit plans for a supermarket on the old Aston Martin site on Tickford Street.
Information sessions were held in the pub on Tuesday and Wednesday where residents could look at the initial proposals and fire questions at representatives from the supermaket.
Harry Dhoter, who has run the Londis shop in Tickford Street for 23 years, said his store could close if Tesco opens next door.
Liz Miles, resident of Wolverton Road, Newport Pagnell said: "They are saying that it will help local businesses but I don't think it will benefit them at all.
"Because Tesco provide such a wide range of goods it is bound to affect Newport Pagnell."
Adrian Sargeant, from Green Park, said: "If people want to go to a big store they can go to Kingston, which is only five minutes in the car. We just do not need it. We have already got two food stores."
"People from other areas will come here instead of down to the bigger stores and make traffic worse."
Maggie Smith, who lives in Priory Street, said according to plans - which are vague and may change during the planning process - her house will overlook where the lorries enter the store.
"I have spoken to an estate agent who said the value of my house is likely to go down," she said.
"I am not against change but in a small town like Newport Pagnell it will be detrimental.
"Tesco say there would be room in the future to expand the shop another 5,000 feet and it will have parking for 190 vehicles - Tickford Street is potholed already."
Paul Godfrey, from Lagonda Close, Newport Pagnell said: "I do not think there is a desire for it here. Everyone is concerned about the impact on traffic and local traders.
"Everyone likes Newport Pagnell at the moment; it is a nice small market town."
Tesco declined to speak on camera, but the retailers claims the store would be 15,000 square feet, less than half the size of the current Wolverton store, and could create around 157 full and part-time jobs.
Tony Fletcher, corporate affairs manager for Tesco, said: "We have monitored where people travel to shop and have found that many travel ten or fifteen minutes away. The area is not being well served."
"These are the very early stages. The plans will go out for public consultation when the outline planning application is submitted. At the moment we are just getting an initial reaction."
"We are not planning a cafe, pharmacy or opticians on the site. Little businesses should benefit as people will not have to go outside of Newport Pagnell for their food shop."
