Residents and traders in Layton will be familiar with the recent closure of the Windmill pub and Tesco’s plans to redevelop the site as one of their Tesco Express stores.
This week, I wrote to Emma Warren, who is responsible for Tesco’s plans in Layton, to express local concerns about any future store and to invite Tesco to discuss the possibility of a voluntary agreement with the community regarding how it plans to trade.
9th August 2010
Dear Ms Warren,
RE: TESCO PLANNING APPLICATION NOs 10/0780, 10/0784, 10/0783 – WINDMILL PUBLIC HOUSE, BLACKPOOL
I write to you in my capacity as the MP for Blackpool North & Cleveleys with reference to the above application in my constituency. I understand that Tesco does not need planning permission to open the store on this site but would implore Tesco to undertake a voluntary agreement not to purposefully compete with the product mix of the established local shops in the nearby Layton District centre, such as the butchers, florists and greengrocer.
I would like to make it clear that I am not ‘anti-supermarket’, indeed I have seen some very successful examples of where supermarkets have assisted in reinvigorating an area. To this extent, I see no reason why a Tesco store, if it must be on this site, could not compliment the current retail mix and offering of the Layton area (which has very recently seen a significant amount of investment from the local council).
I would hope that the arrival of a Tesco shop on this site would not jeopardize the existence of existing shops and invite you, or any other Tesco representative, to speak with me about the possibility of seeking a voluntary agreement over the items that the shop will stock to best suit the needs of local people and retailers.
I look forward to hearing back from you soon.
Yours sincerely,
Paul Maynard MP
Hello, and thanks for visiting my site! As the Conservative MP for Blackpool North and Cleveleys, my job is to serve the interests of my constituents and represent their concerns in Westminster. Hopefully, my website will bring you a little bit closer to what is happening and how you can get involved. Find out about where I stand on the things that affect us locally and how you can share your thoughts with me by using the links at the top of the page. I look forward to hearing from you!
August 23rd, 2010 at 12:46 pm
To Paul Maynard MP
May I say I find your letter to Tesco’s representative incredulous! It is like asking Attila the Hun to use the blunt end of his sword! I fear for the traders near and far from this 10,000 ft store. Just look at Red Bank Rd and the effect Sainsburys has had on this area. Like you, I am not anti supermarket – but it must be in THE RIGHT AREA this is not THE RIGHT AREA.
There has been a pub come coaching inn on this site for over 300 years, for Blackpool that is long time. The Windmill was the only family pub in Layton. For me this is historical vandalism.
I, and nearly 8000 people in Layton objected to this shed like structure being given planning permission. The Blackpool Councilors
voted overwhelmingly against this planning application. What has happened to local democracy? How does this stack up against your leader’s statements on people shaping their communities? It is going to sound like so much “hot air” to a lot of helpless and angry people in Layton.
Many thousands of council taxpayers cash has been spent making the village a pleasure to shop in and a nightmare to drive through. I predict this will be a total waste of money as the village becomes blighted and Westcliffe Drive becomes a traffic bottleneck.
Yous sincerely,
Mr R Wilson