Whitchurch businesses opposed to Tesco plans

Nine in 10 traders in Whitchurch believe Tesco's plans to open a new, bigger store in the town would harm their businesses, a survey suggested today.

Campaigners fighting the retail giant's plans surveyed traders and 70 per cent said an out-of-town supermarket would be "detrimental", while 19 per cent said it would be "very detrimental".

Only 11 per cent of those questioned said the plans would have "no effect" or "some benefit".

The supermarket wants a new store at Edgeley Park in the town, but has faced a storm of opposition from traders and sustainability campaign group WH21.

The company insists its plans would benefit the town by improving the choice and range of goods for shoppers and creating new sports facilities at Whitchurch Rugby Club, which currently occupies part of the site.

The survey was carried out by WH21 and involved 62 businesses.

It found traders overwhelmingly preferred the idea of Tesco expanding its town centre store at White Lion Meadow instead of building out of town.

Therese Hickland, chairman of Whitchurch Chamber of Trade, today said: "The general feeling from traders seems to be that if Tesco goes to Edgeley Park it would be too easy for people never to come into the town centre.

"Traders are saying if the town has to have another supermarket they would rather Sainsbury's gets its plans approved because their proposed site is much nearer the town centre and would create competition for the Tesco store in town."

Sainsbury's has applied for a food store off London Road, but its planning application has yet to be decided.

Tesco has lodged two planning applications – one for Edgeley Park and one to redevelop White Lion Meadow.

By Tom Johannsen