Kingsbridge

Tesco's plans to build a store in Kingsbridge have been highly controversial, with many fearing that it could spell the end for a number of shops on the high street.

The supermarket giant unveiled proposals for a new 32,500 sq ft store at Cookworthy Road Car Park earlier this year.

Tesco, the UK's biggest supermarket chain, has already received outline planning approval for the store.

Campaigners have protested against the plans, saying the new store would harm the character of the town and damage small businesses.

The Kingsbridge and Salcombe Chamber of Commerce have also expressed their concerns about the Tesco store.

Paul Dorey, the chamber's chairman, said: "Collectively our members employ more people, pay more rates and contribute far more to the local economy than Tesco ever will. We therefore ask the council to do their best to accede to our requests."

However, according to a Tesco spokesman, the store will have a "positive" impact on the local economy.

Tesco spokesman: "I think local traders should note that in many cases, including for example Axminster in East Devon, whilst the arrival of Tesco in the town caused some apprehension among the local traders, in the event they have found that the increased number of shoppers in the town, attracted by the Tesco store, has actually been good for their businesses."

"Previous experience suggests that the impact on the local economy will be positive," he said.

"It will have the effect of enabling Kingsbridge residents to carry out their main shopping without having to travel to other nearby towns, and it will attract residents in surrounding areas to come into Kingsbridge to shop.

"Both of these will benefit the Kingsbridge retail community. The pedestrian connection to the high street will also be improved."

The spokesman also noted that the store will use a wide range of local suppliers, including St Merryn (Cornwall) for beef and lamb, Roach (Cornwall) for pork, Westaways (Newton Abbot) for sausages, Case & sons (Wiltshire) for bacon, O’Hanlons brewery (Wimple) and Moor Chocolate (Dartmoor).

He also said the store design would offer environmentally friendly features such as photovoltaic energy sourcing, pollution control, waste minimisation, solar panels and rain-harvesting drains.

"Tesco is committed to reducing the impact its operations have on the environment, and has supported this commitment by pledging £500m over the next five years on low-carbon technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," the spokesman explained.

"It is envisaged that the Kingsbridge store will incorporate many of the Tesco initiatives and maximise the potential of the site."

Tesco, which accounts for nearly a third of the UK grocery market, is planning to share its detailed plans with the local community through a public exhibition in Kingsbridge in the spring.

"I think local traders should note that in many cases, including for example Axminster in East Devon, whilst the arrival of Tesco in the town caused some apprehension among the local traders, in the event they have found that the increased number of shoppers in the town, attracted by the Tesco store, has actually been good for their businesses," the Tesco spokesman concluded.

Figures suggest that nearly one pound in every three goes into a Tesco till. The supermarket now ranks alongside Wal-Mart and France's Carrefour as one of the world's largest retailers.