Local businesses in Southwell fear plans for a new Sainsbury's will take away their trade. The plans for the supermarket are proposed to be built on land off Nottingham Road, Southwell.
The proposed store is expected to create 40 new jobs and will include an in-store Argos click and collect service.
The council, however, objected to the plans for the store. Then Sainsbury's made modifications to the proposed plans. These include a footpath, relocation of speed limit signs and removal of proposed speed cushions. However the council still kept these objects after the changes.
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Shop owners shared their fears of the new supermarket taking away their trade and ‘won’t do Southwell’ any good.’ John Stoppard, 67, owner of Stoppard's Butchers, told Nottinghamshire Live that he isn’t happy about the proposed plans.
Mr Stoppard said: “It’s not going to do Southwell town centre any good. With all the shopping down there - it’s just going to take all the trade from Southwell.
“It’s not going to be good. There’s one at Newark, there’s a Waitrose, a Morrisons and that’s only 10 minutes away.”
Kate Vinde, 39, owner of The Pet Shop, says that a new supermarket isn’t good for the town centre. She said: “Southwell is a town that has pride in itself for having a selection of independent local shops. Having a big chain come in and take away from the trade here.
“I don’t think having a big chain supermarket is going to do Southwell any good. What I'd like to see is a grocery store - I think that would do excellent in the town.
“First it’s a Sainsburys, then Tescos and in my case a Pets At Home - I think it’s dangerous.”
Business owners think that a new supermarket won't be good for the town, however local residents say that they the town is 'crying out' for a new supermarket. They say the only supermarket in town is the Co-op and needs some competition.
Resident Charles Stafford, who is 71 years old and retired, told Nottinghamshire Live that the town needs a supermarket. Mr Stafford said: “We need some competition for Co-op. We have been crying out for competition for a new supermarket.
“Sainsbury's would be a good idea - any supermarket. The problems with Co-op, apart from being expensive, the shelves are terrible, the service is terrible.
“The only problem is the elderly that don’t have the transport. If an elderly person with a shopping trolley - it’s not good for them. It’s a minister town and it’s struggling to get something other than a Co-op.”
Another resident, Deborah Sweeny, says that her only concern is the traffic but apart from that is all for it. She said: “The trouble is it’s quite a busy road. That would be my only reservation for safety.
“Southwell does need some healthy competition. Southwell could do with something extra. I’m pro really - providing that it’s safe.”
A Sainsbury's spokesperson said: “We’re working closely with Newark & Sherwood District Council to achieve the best possible store for Southwell and hope to reach to a positive outcome soon. We’ll keep the community updated as our plans progress.”
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