THIS IS GREAT NEWS FROM BANBRIDGE
BANBRIDGE Chamber of Commerce reacted swiftly and positively to the news that the Minister was set to turn down the controversial Tesco hypermarket proposal for Bridgewater Park.
Vice-chairman of the Chamber, Joe Quail, said the refusal - due to be released officially today - was "great news" for traders in Banbridge town centre, as it would secure at least 300 local jobs.
At the time of going to press, no formal announcement had been made, but the Leader was reliably informed that Environment Minister Edwin Poots would be refusing the application on the grounds it would impact too severely on the economic health of the town centre.
Expressing his delight at the news which broke late yesterday afternoon, Mr Quail said, "This is very, very good news for everyone working in Banbridge town centre, as it means that over 300 jobs which would have been at risk, will now be safe.
"Everyone who works in retail in Banbridge should be pleased at this decision, as it has been widely shown that out-of-town superstores have a devastating effect on the vibrancy and vitality of town centres."
Mr Quail cited a Boots' Report commissioned in the 1990s which he said showed an average of 276 jobs were lost in UK towns when out-of-town stores were built. "From the town centre point of view, a refusal is very welcome news and the MInister and his Department should be congratulated on sticking to planning policy," he said.
Mr Quail went on to say it was now important that Tesco press ahead with plans to extend its current store at Castlewellan Road, for which planning permission has been granted for the next three years.
"We now hope that Tesco pushes ahead with plans for a Tesco Extra store at its existing site," added Mr Quail. "It is important at this stage to point out that this current store works well with the needs of the town centre and this relationship can now be consolidated, as local shops are allowed to go forward into the future and thrive.
"I believe Banbridge needs industry more than retail businesses and for this reason I hope the developer at Bridgewater Park will go ahead with plans for an industrial park which was supposed to be finished last May with the prospect of another 800 new jobs for the area."
Mr Quail also congratulated Banbridge District Council for its enhancement work at Solitude Park and said this, along with the Tesco store at Castlewellan Road, was successfully "tying the town together."
Meanwhile, Glyn Roberts chief executive of the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association, which fought alongside Banbridge Chamber of Commerce, said, "This is the right decision for Banbridge, not just in relation to protecting Banbridge Town Centre, but also in protecting retail jobs in the town.
"If this application had have been successful, it would have created retail devastation in the town, with dozens of traders being forced to close with the loss of hundreds of jobs. It is tremendous news for Banbridge and a great result for a small group of traders who have won a 'David and Goliath' type victory against two corporate giants."
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Weather for Banbridge
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
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