Residents from the local area get the chance to look at the plans for the proposed new Tesco Supermarket being built in Swaffham - An ariel plan of the new store. Picture Matthew Usher.

Hundreds attend Tesco store consultation in Swaffham

By DAISY WALLAGE Saturday, January 28, 2012
9:51 AM

Draft plans for a new Tesco store in Swaffham have gone on show for the first time, prompting a mixed reaction.

Artist's impression of proposed Tesco store in Swaffham

The supermarket giant could open in Castle Acre Road after developer Millngate bought a derelict three-and-a-half acre site from Breckland Council in the summer.

A two-day public exhibition opened at the town’s George Hotel on Friday and continues in the hotel’s Pedlar Suite from 10.30am-3pm on Saturday.

More than 200 people dropping by in the first hour-and-a-half alone.

The proposed store, one of Tesco’s smaller “eco-friendly” designs, could create around 150 jobs and many attended specifically to express an interest.

Residents from the local area get the chance to look at the plans for the proposed new Tesco Supermarket being built in Swaffham. Picture Matthew Usher.

Among them were students Francesca Dack and Emily Driver, both 17, who hope to find summer work before heading to university.

A planning application is due to be lodged with Breckland at the end of February and, if approved, the proposed store would open in December 2013 at the earliest.

The plans were also welcomed by Swaffham resident Bradley Cox and Sporle resident Ian Kittle, who currently travel to Dereham for their weekly shop.

“There is not really middle ground in Swaffham at the moment and the site is an eyesore,” Mr Kittle said.

Residents from the local area get the chance to look at the plans for the proposed new Tesco Supermarket being built in Swaffham. Picture Matthew Usher.

But Sam Papworth, the owner of four butchers’ shops including one in Swaffham Market Place, fears the proposed store could draw trade out of the town centre.

“We love Swaffham, it’s a super little town, and I’m sure Tesco won’t ruin it,” he said. “We are not afraid of competition, but I’m fairly certain we don’t need it.

“This combined with Breckland Council looking at bringing in parking charges won’t help the town centre one little bit.”

Mr Papworth said Fakenham town centre had suffered as a result of Tesco opening there around five years ago and “pulling trade away.”

The plans include 199 car parking spaces and the information boards said the free parking was for the community to use “not only when visiting Tesco but also when visiting other shops and amenities.”

Swaffham currently has an Asda store in Lynn Street, just off the Market Place, a Co-Op in London Street, an Iceland in the Market Place and a Waitrose also in Castle Acre Road, a few hundred yards from the proposed Tesco site.

7 comments

At the exhibition we were given the hard sell for the Swaffham Tescos. However, I still think that we do not need yet another supermarket, and that any jobs created would be at the expense of job losses in the town as other businesses would suffer. We were also told that Tesco's "would cause an increase in trade for the town as people would walk the short distance to use cafes etc" after shopping at Tescos.However, will people really walk the 20 minutes down the dangerous road loaded with shopping?

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Retired Rural

Tuesday, January 31, 2012
I live in Welwyn Garden City, herts and a battle to stop Tesco building a large superstore in town has recently been fought and won although not clear if they will appeal against the planning refusal. Many of the arguments against are I am sure the same in Swaffham. Do you need another supermarket in the area ? Would any jobs created be at the expense of jobs elsewhere when other shops close? If there are sound arguments against start a petition and do not be blackmailed by the argument that the land will be left derelict for years.

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RichGC

Sunday, January 29, 2012
I live in Welwyn Garden City, herts and a battle to stop Tesco building a large superstore in town has recently been fought and won although not clear if they will appeal against the planning refusal. Many of the arguments against are I am sure the same in Swaffham. Do you need another supermarket in the area ? Would any jobs created be at the expense of jobs elsewhere when other shops close? If there are sound arguments against start a petition and do not be blackmailed by the argument that the land will be left derelict for years.

Report this comment

RichGC

Sunday, January 29, 2012
I live in Welwyn Garden City, herts and a battle to stop Tesco building a large superstore in town has recently been fought and won although not clear if they will appeal against the planning refusal. Many of the arguments against are I am sure the same in Swaffham. Do you need another supermarket in the area ? Would any jobs created be at the expense of jobs elsewhere when other shops close? If there are sound arguments against start a petition and do not be blackmailed by the argument that the land will be left derelict for years.

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RichGC

Sunday, January 29, 2012
Tesco + town centre parking charges would NOT be good for Swaffham at all.

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Trevor Ashwin

Saturday, January 28, 2012
Speaking as someone looking to relocate to the area, i dont think these large stores such as Tesco have any place in the smaller towns. Yes, they may bring jobs, but they will only be filled by people who they have put out of a job elsewhere in the town - its virtually guaranteed. I also speak as a Tesco shareholder, so i am technically do myself no favours either in saying this.

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Exile

Saturday, January 28, 2012
NO TO TESCOS IN SWAFFHAM we have Asda, Co OP Iceland and waitrose

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London in Norfolk

Friday, January 27, 2012