SAFFRON WALDEN LIB DEMS OPPOSED TO NEW SAINSBURY'S SUPERSTORE

10.23.00pm GMT Tue 5th Jan 2010

Saffron Walden Liberal Democrats have carried out a detailed survey of residents in the town, and the result is a clear 'no' to a Sainsbury's superstore on Thaxted Road.

A new store would spell the death knell for town-centre shopping, and would threaten the viability of Waitrose in the town centre. Shoppers visiting Waitrose often stay on to do more shopping in the town, or visit the local cafes, pubs and restaurants. None of this would happen if Sainsbury's were to come to Thaxted Road, and if the existing Tesco's were allowed to expand by its proposed 40% in response.

A store of this size has to turn over £400k per week to be viable. This would involve at least 12,000 visits by cars (more with a fuel station), and it would need at least 70 large delivery trucks per week to keep the store supplied. Many of its customers would come from outside Walden, and few would then move to another car park to shop in the town itself.

Liberal Democrats in Saffron Walden stand alongside their colleagues in Thaxted, who rightly fear the impact of Sainsbury's juggernauts shaving pieces off their historic buildings, and weakening their foundations.

Haverhill has a large Sainsbury's already (and an even larger Tesco's). Bishops Stortford has no less than two Sainsbury's! Another superstore in Saffron Walden, accessible only by car, is unnecessary, and would do untold damage to the town.