Mixed response to Whitchurch supermarket plan

Proposals to build a supermarket close to a Shropshire town centre have been given a mixed reaction by businesspeople and civic leaders.

Some people in the town are worried that any new supermarket near Whitchurch town centre will sound a death knell for independent high street shops.

But others say the move could increase footfall by attracting supermarket shoppers to the town centre area.

It comes after a proposal to build a 4,600 sq m supermarket on land off London Road was unveiled this week.

Planning agents Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners have lodged a pre-application with the town council on behalf of a mystery client.

The scheme would include a retail food store with 313 car parking spaces, an access road, and a four-island filling station - all within walking distance of the town centre.

But Lynton Macrae, boss at Pets 2000 in High Street, said a supermarket so close to the town centre would not help established businesses.

"I don't think it will help the town centre because we have already found that when big chains open in town it harms the rest of us," he said.

"Any new supermarket developments, no matter if they are on the edge of town, are not going to help the town centre, which is already dying."

But town councillor Rob Hewson said: "I think it's an excellent idea because Whitchurch does need an extra supermarket. Personally I think it would bring more people into the town centre."

The planning agents are due to run a public consultation event at the civic centre on October 14, 15 and 16 to hear the views of the local community.

At this stage the identity of the supermarket operator behind the plans remains a mystery and a formal planning application has not been submitted.