Town councillors object to plans for Tesco on Cross Keys pub site in Winterton
More than 70 people turned up to have their say on controversial plans for a recently closed pub to become a Tesco Express store.
An extraordinary meeting was called by Winterton Town Council due to high interest in the application for the Cross Keys pub, which closed on September 27, .
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CAMPAIGN: Stuart Maw with fellow Winterton residents, from left, Susan Maw, Terry Credland, Bert Taylor, Robert Maw, David Stephenson, Jenny Cressey and David Whitehead
Some residents said Winterton needed a Tesco to catch up with other towns, while others said the plan could blight the community.
But at the end of a long meeting on the issue, town councillors objected to the proposals – although the final say lies with North Lincolnshire Council.
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Town councillors highlighted worries about the unsuitability of the site for such a development and said the plan as it stood would not benefit the people of the town.
They also raised concerns about noise, the impact on roads and any such development not being in keeping with the area.
Despite an invite, a representative from Tesco did not attend.
Before making their decision, town councillors heard from a number of residents, both for and against the proposals.
Stuart Maw, speaking on behalf of the Winterton Says No To Tesco campaign, said any Tesco shop would be of detriment to the existing stores in the town.
"Tesco, as a large multi-national corporation, will have the power to out-compete our much-needed and well-loved local shops, such as the butchers, the bakers and greengrocers. These shops are vital to the village spirit that we have here in the heart of the community," he said. "The location of the proposed Tesco is not at all appropriate. The access for many heavy goods vehicles delivering to the store is in the immediate vicinity of two local primary schools and other daycare facilities. For parents, this causes great concern."
Resident Les Johnson was worried about the future of the pub site, saying: "It will just get vandalised and then where is your heritage?"
But Terry Johnson said: "It is about time this council brought this town in to the 21st century. It would not affect the local shops as people would still go there because they know they would get the best quality."
Others in favour also pointed to similar developments elsewhere – and said Winterton was being left behind. Kim Parker said: "The 2001 census shows that we only have around 500 people less than Brigg and it has got a huge Tesco store.
"Brigg still has a lot of heritage and historical buildings. We can't keep living in the past and if you want a future then you have to move with it. This will provide a number of job opportunities and a lot of income for the town itself."
A Tesco spokesman said: “Our Express stores are very popular with customers, and help to bring more custom for other businesses as people choose to stay in the area to shop, rather than driving elsewhere.
“We think an Express in the Cross Keys would be a great addition to Winterton.”
Comments
by prokopchuk
Sunday, October 14 2012, 4:13PM
“NIMBYs say no to jobs and to progress.
I also bet if a brewery wanted to turn a shop into a pub, then these same people would object.
Too much time on their hands.”
by BrianPotter_2
Sunday, October 14 2012, 3:53PM
“Tesco Extra stores are more expensive than the big stores because of the convenience, they know they can get away with charging a bit more and i dont blame them. Better to make use of the empty building than let it rot, what are these NIMBY's whinging about? I bet its the same lot that are whinging about the wind turbines!”
by all2cock
Sunday, October 14 2012, 2:58PM
“The traders of Winterton are few and far between nowadays. It was once a thriving village with many butchers, fruit and veg retailers, bakers, drapers, DIY shop/woodyard, electrical retailer, newsagents, shoe shop, numerous grocers and hairdressers, and 3 garages selling fuel, etc, etc.
Sadly as the village grew into a town, over the last 30-35 years, new residents have not played their part in supporting the local businesses, nor in supporting their community as a whole. Hence all the bad press Winterton now receives.
As an ex-resident, I look back over my childhood there and felt privileged to have grown up with such a wealth of local traders and characters. Now, if I drive through, I pity those traders who are left struggling to attract local customers, who seemingly cannot be bothered to walk to the few shops left (witness the dreadful parking within sight of schools and shops).
No, stick windturbines up. Invite Tesco with open arms. Then visit the history tent with the photographs of Winterton and see what you have all done to the place you live in. Shocking.
Interesting to see that the objectors photgraphed included 3 memebers of the same family and at least 2 people who live within 100m of the proposal!! Good to see a good-cross section of the population there. lol”
by ladylefox
Friday, October 12 2012, 9:28PM
“love the quote from terry johnson......"it would not affect the other local shops as people would still go there because they know they will get the best quality".....hahahaha so why the hell does he think Tesco's is needed then? Hes just said thats Tesco dont have quality....im sure they'll be chuffed to bits to hear that from a "supporter" of theirs hahaha”
by Noblooyidea
Friday, October 12 2012, 7:35PM
“Far better to allow the Cross Keys to stand empty, be vandalised and turn into an eyesore than let the evil Tesco's open a store.”
by MarkBird
Friday, October 12 2012, 5:09PM
“If the tesco store isnt cheaper then the other local shops have nothing to fear do they. If tesco is cheaper then its a big plus for the local residents cheaper goods and one less boarded up building.”
by chickenboy
Friday, October 12 2012, 1:21PM
“Well all i can say is bring on tesco its about time that winterton moved in to the 21st century and stopped trying to go back to the horse and cart days i have lived in winterton for 31 years and there has not been much change . Not only will tesco bring jobs it will stop the other three shops in the town having the monopoly. Sit back and look at brigg it only has 500 more people then us and it has so much more shop and for the kids. I am one of the admin from the page bring tesco to winterton on facebook so all i can say i bring on tesco”
by TomWhimpole
Friday, October 12 2012, 9:52AM
“People think that councillors can just chose whether to say yes or no. They can't. They have to follow their own policies. If the policy allows Tesco, then Tesco will get permission. And Tesco know this.”
by HarryWorth
Friday, October 12 2012, 6:26AM
“If that were true, then why do Tesco Extra stores tend to flourish wherever they open.
They do well - because people WANT them, and use them.
Who's objecting? A rag bag collection of existing rip-off local shop owners and those "serial objectors" who like to object to any change.
Can't wait for the nice new shop to open.”
by buffering
Thursday, October 11 2012, 7:01PM
“Anyone that thinks that "ANY" Tesco is cheap, needs to take a bit reality check!
As their slogan says "Every Fiddle Helps"”