Sainsbury's in Saltaire? No thanks!

Here is the letter I have just emailed off to the T&A.


When will we get a government that will protect our local independent traders from the predatory competition of the big supermarkets?


When markets fail to support resilient community life, government must step in.


Sir,

I share the concerns of many residents about Sainsbury’s apparent interest in opening a store in

Saltaire.

Several residents have received letters from Sainsbury’s, but tell me they are happy with their choice of shops. I agree. Saltaire’s high street is celebrated as a thriving shopping parade, with shops ranging from the local Co-op to smaller, friendly independent traders.

A new Sainsbury’s will undermine these local retailers and hit the Co-op as well. It will also complicate a traffic situation that is far from ideal, but at least safer now the old roundabout has been replaced by a light-controlled junction. I am sure residents living on nearby Grosvenor Road will not welcome the extra parking nuisance this shop would bring in.

I hope local people will contribute to the planning process if a formal application is submitted, and I will do my best to ensure the matter is properly considered by the area planning panel in due course.

In the longer term, we also need government action to protect our local shops from being unfairly squeezed out of business by the multi-billion pound supermarket chains.

Yours faithfully,

Cllr Kevin Warnes (Shipley, Green)