Decision looms on Shrewsbury Tesco expansion bid

Controversial plans by Tesco to expand its Extra store in Battlefield, Shrewsbury, by a third could be given the go-ahead this week after being recommended for approval by council officers.

The supermarket giant has applied for permission to expand its superstore in a move bosses claim will safeguard 420 jobs. It came as Tesco today announced plans to create 20,000 jobs over the next two years.

The jobs will be created through 'significant investment' in customer service, revamping stores and opening new ones.

The plans for Shrewsbury are due to go before Shropshire Council's central planning committee at Shirehall on Thursday at 2pm. Councillors have been recommended to back the move in a report by planning officer Stuart Thomas.

"The proposed development has been assessed against locally adopted policies and up to date national planning policy guidance in relation to retail development," he said.

"This assessment was informed by independent advice provided to the council which indicated that approval of the extension to the existing food store on the application site would not have a significant adverse impact on the vitality and viability of Shrewsbury town centre."

A row of banks and a solicitor's office in Harlescott would also be knocked down. Tesco plans to build three units to rehome some of the banks.

The proposals have come under fire from Shrewsbury Town Council, which said any increase in non-food items at the store would have a 'detrimental impact' on town centre trade.

But Tesco argued the extension was needed to improve customer experience. It said it was currently 'over-trading' which meant there was insufficient space to cope with the number of customers at the store.

However an independent report commissioned by Shropshire Council found the store was slightly under-trading, turning over £35 million compared to a benchmark turnover of nearly £39 million.

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