Chamber calls for town centre help

A business chamber today called for stronger measures to help protect town centre trade in Shrewsbury from big name retailers.

Members of Shrewsbury Business Chamber made the comments in their response to Shropshire Council's planning department over proposals to expand the Sainsbury's store at Meole Brace Retail Park. The letter said large retailers expanding in Meole Brace or Battlefield should give cash to enhance the town.

Penned by chamber chairman Peter Bettis, it says: "We are greatly concerned about the flagrant disregard of planning policies governing companies in this sector, and the weak enforcement of planning conditions and restrictions imposed at the time of approval of consents.

"Control through the planning process of the sale of comparison goods on retail parks and industrial estates and the promises to ensure that the footfall would not be reduced have not been kept.

"Poor traffic management and a lack of adequate public transport to compensate for free parking at out-of-town locations, is an additional restraint on Shrewsbury town centre retail sector."

Proposals for the Sainsbury's store include creating a first floor mezzanine level, an enlarged petrol station, a new cafe, and the possibility of 100 extra parking spaces as well as a new trolley store.

Mr Bettis added in the letter: "Should the general principle of Sainsbury's continued expansion in this location be accepted by the planning committee, as part of any condition we suggest that consideration should be given to these representations with a plan to attempt to resolve the challenges affecting Shrewsbury town centre.

"We suggest that this is best addressed by the use of a Section 106 Agreement or similar vehicle, that any expansion of retail space at Meole Brace, Battlefield or other locations around the town, should direct funds to enhancement of the town centre."

By Sam Pinnington