Supermarkets vie for out-of-town store
Bryan Copland • Published 19 Jan 2012 09:23
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TWO supermarket giants look set to go head-to-head in front of councillors in their bids to build new superstores in Haddington.
A planning application by Sainsbury's, and two by Tesco for two different sites, will be discussed by East Lothian Council's planning committee at a pre-determination hearing at Haddington Town House on February 7, both retailers confirmed.
It will give representatives from each company the chance to speak about each application, as well as objectors, while giving councillors the opportunity to ask questions.
Sainsbury's has applied to build a supermarket and petrol station at Gateside West, on the western outskirts of the town. The site has been identified as the council's preferred location for out-of-town retail space in Haddington.
Meanwhile, Tesco has live applications for two sites: Gateside East, where it wants to build a brand new store - moving from its current Newton Port base; and Newton Port itself, with plans to erect a new retail, commercial and residential development.
The applications from both retailers are only outline plans, but it is understood a full Sainsbury's application could be forthcoming within weeks of next month's meeting.
A council spokeswoman said she was unable to say if the applications would be included as the agenda for the meeting had not been finalised.
However, a Sainsbury's spokesman said: "Sainsbury's has had it confirmed the application will go to this meeting. We have had very strong support from people in Haddington since the process began in 2007, and from Sainsbury's point of view, we have got an application that is 100 per cent in line with council policy.
"We would be hopeful for a positive outcome and look forward to working with the community and Haddington Business Association."
The firm hopes a store could be open within 18 months of planning permission being granted.
Tesco has reiterated its desire to build a larger store in the town. Said a spokesman: "Tesco is committed to providing customers with improved supermarket shopping in Haddington.
"We look forward to hearing the views of East Lothian Council at the pre-determination hearing - the outcome of which will allow us to explore our opportunities for development."
Traders in Haddington have previously voiced objections to the applications at both Gateside East and West.
Instead, they are keen to see Tesco remain at its current Newton Port site.
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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East of East Lothian
Unregistered User
Jan 19, 11:30
Report commentWhy do things take so long? Everyone knows Sainsbury's will eventually get the green light but it's now 4 years since their initial application - and they havn't even got outline approval yet.
Recommend?
Yes 20
No 20
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its me
Unregistered User
Jan 19, 13:18
Report comment -
its me
Unregistered User
Jan 19, 13:20
Report comment -
qwerty
Unregistered User
Jan 19, 23:47
Report commentdepends on who gives the best backhanders
Recommend? Yes 17
No 17
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OwnUp
Unregistered User
Jan 31, 10:56
Report commentI honestly do feel for the small trader in Haddington. Having a shop in a couple of delapidated streets with a grungy feel, in a town that if we are being honest is nice to live in and ideally placed but doesn' have a lot to recommend it from a tourist perspective must be exceptionally hard and competing against the larger multi nationals and the inetrnet who can cut costs and offer better variety and prices must be almost impossible. I try to support them when I can, but the variety and value isn't always there.
However I'm feed up of some of the people of Haddington, out there banging on about local shops as most are hipocrits who use the Internet or go into Edinburgh to buy things on a regular basis. The vast majority probably work in Edinburgh as well. It's amazing the amount of Tesco, Sainsburys and Asda delivery vans that are going around when all these people shop locally.
Do me a favour, give us a Sainsbury's for competition with Tesco and offer us more variety as consumers. And once and for all stop the hippocracy, stop using Tesco or any other supermarket and shop loacl...you know you wont and you know who you are.
Recommend? Yes 11
No 6
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maximusmichaelus
Unregistered User
Feb 2, 11:28
Report commentMy belief is that most consumers in the area would like to see some serious competition for Tesco who have held the roost for too long.
The quality of their service and products have seriously deminished over the past two or three years, also their are clear signs that Tesco have been taking advantage of their monopoly by being less than fair with their pricing strategy.
If Tesco want to build a new store then fine, let them proceed, however, if Sainsbury are prepared to build a new store, then great news for the consumers of East Lothian. Genuine competition will control prices and lead to numerous advantages to the consumer.
Michael T
Recommend? Yes 12
No 3
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