'Ghost Town' fears over Tesco's Whitchurch plans
Businesspeople in Whitchurch have called on supermarket giant Tesco to rethink controversial plans for a new out-of-town store amid fears it would render the centre a "ghost town". Businesspeople in Whitchurch have called on supermarket giant Tesco to rethink controversial plans for a new out-of-town store amid fears it would render the centre a "ghost town". About 40 people attended the launch meeting of new campaign group WH21 which is urging the supermarket group to expand its current town centre store and scrap any proposals to move to Edgeley Park. Fears were raised at yesterday's meeting that any move to the outskirts of town by Tesco would sound a death knell for small shops and independent traders.
Businesspeople in Whitchurch have called on supermarket giant Tesco to rethink controversial plans for a new out-of-town store amid fears it would render the centre a "ghost town".
About 40 people attended the launch meeting of new campaign group WH21 which is urging the supermarket group to expand its current town centre store and scrap any proposals to move to Edgeley Park.
Fears were raised at yesterday's meeting that any move to the outskirts of town by Tesco would sound a death knell for small shops and independent traders.
Guy Butler, a resident and businessman who chaired the meeting, said: "We aren't trying to stop any supermarket coming to Whitchurch but we want Tesco to show they have seriously considered staying in the town centre.
"There is land available they could expand on to where they are, but have they done anything about it?
"I asked them about it and they said my plans were 'ambitious' and we haven't heard from them since.
"I think they are taking the easy option and this is about making Tesco work harder."
Bill Smith, former chairman of Whitchurch Regeneration Forum, claimed since its arrival in Whitchurch, Tesco had already "destroyed" the town centre.
He urged members to fight the retailer's latest plans or face Whitchurch becoming a "ghost town".
Simon Lyon, from Lorna's House gift shop on High Street, said one option would be to poll Whitchurch residents to show Tesco bosses the depth of feeling.
"Lots of high streets in the UK are dead but ours is alive and we need to show how important that is," he said.
Whitchurch property developer Mike Bate said: "I'm ecstatic with the turnout from the business community but I feel our Shropshire Council members have let us down by not attending," he said.
"This group would like to be friends with Tesco and we want to find a way of keeping them where they are as there are plenty of opportunities for them to expand without moving out of town."
Tesco currently has a store at White Lion Meadow in the town centre.
Under its proposals with developer Mercian Developments, Tesco would open a new store and petrol station at Edgeley Park.
By Tom Johannsen
