23/4/2008Tesco wants second store on 'Town' site
By WENDY MILLER
TESCO wants to open another store in the West End of Glasgow - just 100metres from its proposed giant supermarket in Partick.
Plans for the retail giant's latest Express store, which could create up to 250 jobs, were revealed on the first day of a public inquiry into so-called 'Tesco Town'.
Tesco's first witness, town planning consultant Bob Robinson, said: "There is a proposal at the moment to open a Tesco Express which is the more convenience type of store. Tesco see that as fulfilling a very different function to that of the bigger store."
Mr Robinson said the proposed Express store was near the site of the planned Beith Street project and would provide a 'top-up shopping role'.
Tesco also recently launched another of its smaller stores on the site of the former Creme de la Creme restaurant in Argyle Street - just half a mile from the proposed Partick site.
Inquiry reporter Michael Culshaw is examining two planning applications by Tesco - the first for a superstore with 915 flats and an underground car park in Beith Street and the second, a plan B in case the first is kicked out, for a stand-alone superstore.
Opponents of 'Tesco Town' have claimed they would lead to over provision - as well as pointing out the potential damage a large retail development could have on existing traders in the Partick area and beyond.
Mr Robinson admitted the proposed superstore could take 11.3% of customers from Morrisons in Partick, Sainsburys in Crow Road and Marks & Spencer in Crow Road to switch to the giant Tesco, while Morrisons in Anniesland may see a 13% reduction in trade.
He didn't believe the change would be significant enough to lead to job losses.
Mr Robinson, an independent consultant hired by Tesco, underlined his view that Tesco's plans for a mixed use development in a brownfield site corresponded with existing council policy on city planning.
"My view certainly is that it accords fully with policy at all levels There are no considerations which dictate against my firm view that permission should be granted," he said.
Fears about increased traffic congestion in Partick and a reduction in air quality - as a result of the proposed Tesco development were also raised.
During the first day of the inquiry Mr Robinson, an independent consultant hired by Tesco, was questioned by Glasgow Harbour's legal representative Craig Connal QC who claimed it was "the policy of Glasgow City Council not to support proposals which lead to a reduction in air quality."
The inquiry is expected to hear from more Tesco witnesses today (Wednesday) with Glasgow City Council to present its case on Thursday and Glasgow Harbour, which is opposing the plan, on Friday.
Next week opposition group Stop Tesco Owning Partick (STOP) will speak.
A Glasgow City Council spokesman said no application for a second store near the Beith Street site had been received.
wendy.miller@
eveningtimes.co.uk
TESCO wants to open another store in the West End of Glasgow - just 100metres from its proposed giant supermarket in Partick.
Plans for the retail giant's latest Express store, which could create up to 250 jobs, were revealed on the first day of a public inquiry into so-called 'Tesco Town'.
Tesco's first witness, town planning consultant Bob Robinson, said: "There is a proposal at the moment to open a Tesco Express which is the more convenience type of store. Tesco see that as fulfilling a very different function to that of the bigger store."
Mr Robinson said the proposed Express store was near the site of the planned Beith Street project and would provide a 'top-up shopping role'.
Tesco also recently launched another of its smaller stores on the site of the former Creme de la Creme restaurant in Argyle Street - just half a mile from the proposed Partick site.
Inquiry reporter Michael Culshaw is examining two planning applications by Tesco - the first for a superstore with 915 flats and an underground car park in Beith Street and the second, a plan B in case the first is kicked out, for a stand-alone superstore.
Opponents of 'Tesco Town' have claimed they would lead to over provision - as well as pointing out the potential damage a large retail development could have on existing traders in the Partick area and beyond.
Mr Robinson admitted the proposed superstore could take 11.3% of customers from Morrisons in Partick, Sainsburys in Crow Road and Marks & Spencer in Crow Road to switch to the giant Tesco, while Morrisons in Anniesland may see a 13% reduction in trade.
He didn't believe the change would be significant enough to lead to job losses.
Mr Robinson, an independent consultant hired by Tesco, underlined his view that Tesco's plans for a mixed use development in a brownfield site corresponded with existing council policy on city planning.
"My view certainly is that it accords fully with policy at all levels There are no considerations which dictate against my firm view that permission should be granted," he said.
Fears about increased traffic congestion in Partick and a reduction in air quality - as a result of the proposed Tesco development were also raised.
During the first day of the inquiry Mr Robinson, an independent consultant hired by Tesco, was questioned by Glasgow Harbour's legal representative Craig Connal QC who claimed it was "the policy of Glasgow City Council not to support proposals which lead to a reduction in air quality."
The inquiry is expected to hear from more Tesco witnesses today (Wednesday) with Glasgow City Council to present its case on Thursday and Glasgow Harbour, which is opposing the plan, on Friday.
Next week opposition group Stop Tesco Owning Partick (STOP) will speak.
A Glasgow City Council spokesman said no application for a second store near the Beith Street site had been received.
wendy.miller@
eveningtimes.co.uk