Norman Lamb MP North Norfolk/PA
Waitrose plans for North Walsham are ‘incredibly positive’ says North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb
Saturday, January 21, 2012
12:02 PM
Plans to open a Waitrose in North Walsham have been hailed as “incredibly positive” by the town’s MP.
Norman Lamb met with bosses from the supermarket giant this week and said the chain’s proposal to convert the former Focus DIY store was an “exciting” development for North Walsham.
Waitrose announced in December that it wanted to transform the existing Cromer Road building into a 21,000sq ft store, complete with coffee shop, creating 150 jobs.
Mr Lamb said: “I’m excited by the potential positive impact this could have on North Walsham as a town, and the surrounding areas.
“I spoke to them about what they can do to give a boost to the town centre to help the traders enhance it and there’s certainly scope for working with them on that.
“And they made the point that as a company their whole approach is to work with local traders, organisations and suppliers.”
The supermarket is holding a public exhibition of its plans over two days next month, which will give residents, businesses and other groups a chance to view and discuss the proposal. Waitrose representatives will be on hand at both sessions to answer questions.
Bosses have said they will analyse all feedback from the exhibition before submitting a planning application to North Norfolk District Council.
If the plans are given the go ahead the store could be converted in eight weeks and open by the autumn.
● The exhibition is being held in the Dayspring Centre at North Walsham Methodist Church, on Grammar School Road on Thursday February 2, from noon to 7pm, and Friday February 3, from 11am to 6pm.
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9 comments
Good word, incredible.
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Mad Brewer
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Good news indeed for NW but I think that another place to buy petroldiesel should be a must. Sainsbury's have the monopoly in the town and this is not good for residents. Perhaps our MP should put some energy into solving this problem - an important one in a rural area.
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Mr. Grouchy
Monday, January 23, 2012
Great news, sooner the better. I have to take exception to Blister's scathing comments re N Walsham, clearly he hasn't done a lap of Norwich ring road in recent weeks! Plenty opportunites for a bit of chav spotting there.
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Ian
Monday, January 23, 2012
I cannot even begin to say just how excited I am by this prospect!!
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Ben Bullen
Monday, January 23, 2012
norman late again,town has be buzzing for weeks about waitrose, this is a old story now. but gets his mug in the press
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jedi master
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Pity it took him 6 weeks to welcome 150 new jobs and a new business in North Walsham.
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Jono Read
Sunday, January 22, 2012
The Kiss of Death with Norman Lamb in favour - look what happened when it can to a vote on tuition fees. He turned turtle and betrayed his electorate!
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Farquarson-Smythe
Saturday, January 21, 2012
agree about how good waitrose are shame we can't have one in central Norwich, excuse my prejudices but always thought North Walsham a bit to chavy for a waitrose, the town if full of £ shops and charity shops
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blister
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Yay for Waitrose. They add to a town, rather like having a large deli. Don't live near Walsham but I love my local Waitrose - Was in there two hours ago!
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alecto
Saturday, January 21, 2012