Boycie backing fight against Ludlow supermarket
Only Fools and Horses star John Challis today added his voice to the campaign against an out-of-town supermarket.
With the deadline looming for residents to make their feelings known over a planned new supermarket and filling station on the edge of Ludlow, Mr Challis, best known for playing Boycie in the long-running BBC comedy show, has said "we don't need another one".
The actor and author, who lives near Wigmore on the south Shropshire border, has long-standing links to Ludlow, having been an active supporter of the Ludlow Arts Festival, including starring in last year's Shakespeare adaptation at Ludlow Castle.
He took part in last year's first ever Ludlow Independents Day, which celebrated and promoted the towns many independent shops.
Mr Challis has opposed wind turbine, solar farm and housing development schemes in south Shropshire.
Tish Dockerty, secretary of Ludlow Chamber of Trade, said now Challis had written to the Love Ludlow campaign against the as-yet-unnamed supermarket to pledge his support.
Mr Challis said: "Not another supermarket for Ludlow – we already have a Co-op and Ludlow Food Centre on the A49 and three more in the town centre. Surely we don't need another one.
"Spare a thought for the independent shops in the town which will lose out, and look at what has happened to other towns of a similar size.
"They have lost most of their shops and many high streets are either boarded up or full of charity shops. Ludlow is a shopping destination for tourists because of its unique shopping experience.
"Tesco and Morrisons are closing many of their stores as a result of falling trade, so why on earth is it sensible to give this proposal a second thought?"
Developer Blackfriars says the 25,000sq ft store and filling station at Rocks Green on the A49 at Ludlow would create 210 jobs and contribute £3 million a year to the local economy.
Agent Sean McGrath, of Indigo Planning, has previously said there was "no evidence that the proposed food store is likely to result in significant adverse impacts on Ludlow town centre".
But Ludlow Town Council also voted to object to the plans amid fears for the impact on the town centre. Residents have until February 3 to comment.
