DEMONSTRATION OF SUPPORT FOR NEW TESCO STORE AT SHERINGHAM EXHIBITION
Roughly a thousand Sheringham residents visited Tesco’s exhibition of a range of
plans for a possible new store in the town last week. The exhibition, which was held at
Oddfellows Hall on Friday and Saturday, was aimed at giving local people more information
about the proposed store. The plans outlined details for a store a quarter smaller than
previously proposed.
Dozens of Sheringham residents gathered for a photo outside the venue on Saturday to
demonstrate their support for a new store. Over 1,000 residents have so far contacted
Tesco directly to say they are in favour of a new supermarket, with almost 400 signing up
to the independent Facebook supporters group - We want a Tesco in Sheringham.
Pam Blyth, Chair of the Protesc supporters group said, “People are always very busy
so it was great that so many supporters managed to spare some time to attend the
exhibition. It is good to see how much work has been put into the improved plans –
the majority of people in this town want a new supermarket here and councillors should
listen carefully to what local people are saying.”
Jono Read, founder of the independent Facebook group which campaigns for a new store in
the town, said: “The downturn continues to hit local people hard. The quicker we can
get a new supermarket so we can save time and money in our shopping the better."
Nick Gellatly of Tesco said: “We are pleased so many people came to the exhibition to
hear more about our plans. The level of interest and enthusiasm was very encouraging. We
hope that we will be able to offer people great value local shopping soon.”
Tesco have sent out leaflets with a PREPAID Postage tear off slip for you to complete
and send in, to show your support for the new Tesco to come to Sheringham.
If you do not get one and want to send in your support, please email us your Full Name, Address, Post Code and
Email address and how many leaflets that you want (one per person). We will ensure
that you get them.
Alternatively, the leaflet can be viewed online, BUT the Free Response
part of it will not work, you will have to put a stamp on it.
Tesco is drawing up fresh plans for a smaller and better-looking store at Sheringham
and it is hoped fresh plans, which seek to answer some of the concerns raised at the
inquiry over size and design, could be tabled with North Norfolk District by June.
They have appointed an award-winning architect, Wilkinson Eyre, to show they are doing
their best to provide Sheringham with the best possible store. To see some of the projects
they have completed go to: http://www.wilkinsoneyre.com
The new store would be smaller than the original 1,500 sq m, but it is too early to say
how big it will be, we will be hoping for one at least the same size as
the one in Aylsham, and hopefully just a little bit larger.
There is definitely continued demand for a value store, particularly in the current
economic downturn.
The store plan would create more than 120 local jobs, as well as a new community centre
and fire station. As an added bonus there will also many more parking spaces, with three
hours free parking.
Company spokesman Nick Gellatly said the change of tack was a bid to provide Sheringham
with the store it needed as quickly as possible.
We at ProTesc are delighted Tesco has decided to show faith in Sheringham. We need the
backing of the community and local families. This time we want to the hear the voice of
the people of Sheringham who were put off by the protesters last time.
DO NOT ASSUME THAT TESCO WILL BE SUCCESSFUL. THEY DO NEED OUR HELP. WRITE TO YOUR
COUNCILLORS, THE NEWSPAPERS AND THE MEDIA.
We will need your help and support, but if you want a Supermarket in Sheringham, then
like us you will have to fight for it.
Some people have asked us for some thoughts on what they could say in
their letters backing the plans when they write letters or talk to friends. We’ve
found the some of the following are really important, you might like to consider them:
You’d like a good-value supermarket with the range of groceries you
need for your main shopping trip close to home rather than having to use supermarkets in
other towns
A good value store will help families reduce costs
We know local people and visitors, including summer tourists go to food
stores elsewhere. You could talk about how a store would attract these people back to the
town and local stores would benefit as they visit them as well
You would welcome a free car park close to the High Street and this
would also attract new visitors to town
New jobs at the store would be very welcome.
Contact Names and Addresses can be found on
the links above:
