We will fight for the town centre
TRADERS say a proposed out-of-town Marks & Spencer store would kill off Scunthorpe's town centre.
A number of store owners have revealed they are opposed to the planned multi-million- pound retail park, which would have M&S as its anchor store.
They say the development at the Stephen Smith Garden Centre on Doncaster Road would draw shoppers away from the High Street and damage the town irreparably.
Now, a campaign website – www.keepscunthorpealive.co. uk – has been launched and traders are encouraging people to log in and make their voices heard.
Des Comerford, managing director of the Fallen Hero clothes shop on Cole Street, said: "We're launching this website to oppose any application made to open an out-of-town retail park to include M&S on that site. If a retail site of that particular nature were allowed to go ahead, it would totally devastate the town centre to such a state that it would just not be recoverable.
"The 200 jobs that would be created by this proposal will be a drop in the ocean compared with the number of jobs that would be lost.
"A vast amount of businesses in the town centre have told me they will not be expanding
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their companies until they know the outcome of this pending application.
"This is a disaster waiting to happen."
He said the website will serve as a platform for businessmen, residents and people with an interest in the town to voice their opinions.
There will be an opinion poll to put pressure on M&S to consider a town centre location, regular articles that campaigners will be encouraged to submit, and an electronic newsletter that people can subscribe to.
Nic Dakin, MP for Scunthorpe, said it is positive news that M&S is looking at the town again.
But he said he sympathised with the Keep Scunthorpe Alive campaign and thinks it would be better if M&S focused on the town centre.
He said: "I am really pleased with the way in which national businesses like BHS, Topshop and Primark, as well as local businesses like Fallen Hero and Coe & Co, among others, have invested in Scunthorpe town centre in the last year.
"Marks & Spencer sadly made the decision to pull out of Scunthorpe at Christmas.
"That they are interested again in the area is positive news, but it would be far better if they came to back into the town centre."
But M&S bosses say they have carried out a lot of research and are adamant that Doncaster Road is the best site for a new store.
An M&S spokesman said: "Following the closure of our Scunthorpe store, we have considered and discounted a number of potential locations that would allow us to return to the town.
"After an extensive assessment, we have concluded that the proposed site on Doncaster Road is the only viable location."
Traders back campaign – pages 4-5
88 Comments
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by andpointis
Wednesday, August 17 2011, 11:40AM
“traders get real, the town centre is dead-you have done this with pound shops and fast food. now either tidy your own mess up or more of us will leave the town to shop. A start may be to stop large groups hanging around intimidating people.”
by Delboy1271
Wednesday, August 17 2011, 10:50AM
“DMG1986 - Delboy is my nickname in life and is based around my real name so your point is irrelevant. As for your comments all being true, your statment:
"I personally think this slightly suspicious and believe they were happy with the high street but saw the chance to rob it blind and destroy it with a big development"
is nothing short of paraniod. This is a business doing what they think is best for their business.”
by Harrygunt
Tuesday, August 16 2011, 11:41PM
“haha@chavtown...
Lets talk about intellect shall we....so you think M&S want to open a store in an area it already left due to it being not a viable location for them? In an area said to be, by the other occupiers own admission, as "dying" In a dead store located where the smart money has stopped spending so it has become empty. Sounds like you have all the answers..have you ever harrassed people buying cars because they want a colour you dont like? You and the rest of the jokers have NO say in what M&S will do...they'll simply, rather foolishly, listen to their thorough reaserch professionals...and develop a store where people want to be...it is not gonna be in the High street they tried that number....high streets have had their day...now move on..accept change is inevitable... people spending money normally have the choice where and when they spend it...M&S will speculate some of theirs where they propose to...you spend yours in Gregs....in yer wee stained bobbly joggers”
by Harrygunt
Tuesday, August 16 2011, 11:21PM
“@Chavtown
No im happy with M&S food really....im not the one moaning ..i want it to happen not like the luddite populus....i'll leave you with the gregs...”
by cllr_roy_cox
Tuesday, August 16 2011, 9:16PM
“OMG! Get a grip! There are comments on here about the riots and binge drinking...Bore off!! M&S is coming and the sooner you whingers accept it the better!!
Some more wind farms would be nice too!!”
by Chavtown
Tuesday, August 16 2011, 7:13PM
“@Harrygunt
"Boring!!!!! ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ"
From your highly intellectual posts, you sound like you're only happy with a sour face, a Greggs pie and something to whinge about.”
by Harrygunt
Tuesday, August 16 2011, 6:40PM
“Boring!!!!! ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ”
by Chavtown
Tuesday, August 16 2011, 6:24PM
“Well, as of Sunday, a nice big store will be vacant as TJ Hughes is closing.
So Marks and Spencers has no excuse for needing to go out-of-town as all their needs will be met. A nice big car park, two floors of retail space and a guaranteed flow of customers. What's more, they can also increase their Green credntials as the bus station is also at hand for the elderly customers and for those that don't hace cars.”
by HeavenlyManna
Tuesday, August 16 2011, 5:34PM
“With the best will in the world, I am sure the outlook and vision of M&S far, far surpasses this so called bigger picture according to a few delusional S****honians!! Lols”
by VivaLoveVegas
Tuesday, August 16 2011, 4:26PM
“Thank you @chavtown... It really does baffle me to think that people can't see the bigger picture. All they seem to be concerned with is getting something new... but what happens when the novelty wears off?”