Tesco / ASDA !!!

[Harry]

I hadn't seen that, interesting but the site is suggested only IF it is believed an existing site in unavailable. My solution is to utilise the existing buildings if it is attractive to the commercial organisations. I see this as a solution as m&co get a cheaper rent, coop don't have an empty building, newco supermarket get a new store in a good location, MIA fend off Hibbert la & Marple get the supermarket they demand

Just a couple of possible problems there Duke.

M&Co may not want to move to smaller premises.

The Co-op used to be in the building where M&Co currently is, but then it had the whole ground floor, including what is now Superdrug. This wasn't large enough so they had the current store built. This may mean that the Co-op are the landlord there, and therefore wouldn't rent to a supermarket, even though it would only be convenience store size.

Also, I doubt that any new supermarket of a viable size, i.e. if they also got the Superdrug premises, would accept a site without car parking right alongside it.

[Duke Fame]

...
The answer would be to have a supermarket within the centre but the only premises suitable would be the clothes shop.

Bear in mind that Stockport Council's preferred location is Chadwick Street (presumably on the site of the existing car park, behind Iceland?), see the email from Paul Lawrence (Stockport Council Regeneration Manager) to Christina Cassidy (CAMSFC Principal).

I hadn't seen that, interesting but the site is suggested only IF it is believed an existing site in unavailable. My solution is to utilise the existing buildings if it is attractive to the commercial organisations. I see this as a solution as m&co get a cheaper rent, coop don't have an empty building, newco supermarket get a new store in a good location, MIA fend off Hibbert la & Marple get the supermarket they demand

[Duke Fame]

Which is all very interesting but completely beside the point, because these locations, however suitable, wouldn't raise a penny for the college!

True Dave but that is the college's problem & not of my concern.

I'm sure the college can become more efficient and create more income streams with a bit of thought, selling the land is an easy fix, using their assets more productively is more skilful. If the current guy doesn't have the financial background to pull it, there are plenty who can.

[Harry]

Bear in mind that Stockport Council's preferred location is Chadwick Street (presumably on the site of the existing car park, behind Iceland?), see the email from Paul Lawrence (Stockport Council Regeneration Manager) to Christina Cassidy (CAMSFC Principal).

This may be the worst possible scenario.

A new supermarket, which, some are claiming, would increase traffic.

The loss of a major car park in the town centre.

The college then having to sell the Hibbert Lane site for housing, so another few hundred homes built, which in turn means hundreds more cars.

And we will probably have another hundred or so homes on the Peacefield site eventually.

[Dave]

Which is all very interesting but completely beside the point, because these locations, however suitable, wouldn't raise a penny for the college!

[NeilCorrie]

...
The answer would be to have a supermarket within the centre but the only premises suitable would be the clothes shop.

Bear in mind that Stockport Council's preferred location is Chadwick Street (presumably on the site of the existing car park, behind Iceland?), see the email from Paul Lawrence (Stockport Council Regeneration Manager) to Christina Cassidy (CAMSFC Principal).

[Duke Fame]

No 'pelters' from this direction, Jerome - I think you make some good points.

Duke, if by 'the clothes shop' you mean McKay's, I suspect that's much too small for a Tesco or Asda.

M and co is the one i mean as there is the upstairs too.

I've suggested before that as I understand it the landlord of themm&co is the same as the 1960s  shop opposite the Italian restaurant. The key would be to tempt m&co into that shop and a supermarket such as moggies into the m&co building

[Dave]

No 'pelters' from this direction, Jerome - I think you make some good points.

Duke, if by 'the clothes shop' you mean McKay's, I suspect that's much too small for a Tesco or Asda.

[Duke Fame]

I know I`m going to get pelters but I am part of the silent majority in Marple who think a new supermarket development is just what the town needs.
Marple centre is tired looking and on it`s last legs and although a shame it`s harsh economical facts. 
If SMBC were that bothered they would offer competitive discounts on business rates for new businesses and offer free parking.
The main street is full of empty premises so anew supermarket won`t do any harm.
Marple should re brand itself as the gateway to some beautiful countryside and outdoor pursuits and create niche shops to fit in with that style of town/village centre.

I`m not trying to wind you all up I just think an alternative viewpoint should be aired.

Whilst I agree a new supermaket COULD give the place a kickstart, not at the Hibbert Lane site as that would only make things worse.

THe answer would be to have a supermarket within the centre but the only premises suitable would be the clothes shop.

Fully with you that business rates needs to be addressing for retailers, business rates have been used to rape businesses over the past 15 years and a profit related local tax system is needed. I

[Jerome Caminada]

I know I`m going to get pelters but I am part of the silent majority in Marple who think a new supermarket development is just what the town needs.
Marple centre is tired looking and on it`s last legs and although a shame it`s harsh economical facts. 
If SMBC were that bothered they would offer competitive discounts on business rates for new businesses and offer free parking.
The main street is full of empty premises so anew supermarket won`t do any harm.
Marple should re brand itself as the gateway to some beautiful countryside and outdoor pursuits and create niche shops to fit in with that style of town/village centre.

I`m not trying to wind you all up I just think an alternative viewpoint should be aired.

[Duke Fame]

http://themarpleleaf.blogspot.com/2011/08/marple-supermarket-arguments-for.html

Interesting reading.

Yes it is a good point, I always thought being a blogger was a euphemism for unemployed people to give themselves a bit of self-worth but Michael has a proper job. The first comment is very good.

It's not often I agree with the Union of Soviet Socialist Dave on here but he & Hollins are quite right. The contant FOI requests for largely irrelevant information is counter productive in that it is going to turn decision makers off rather than get them onside.

The misinformation that the comment on Marple Leaf's blog is extremely relevant. Whilst we may be able to mobilise troops is we tell everyone the shop is going to be bigger than Tesco Portwood & larger than 4,5,6 football pitches, if the actual plans show this to be untrue, the objection will be dead in the water.


I am against a Supermarket on the site I think it's the wrong place for an additional retail centre that can only detract from the existing stores. and there are traffic issues for an area of the Town that cannot really cope with the current traffic levels. However, the objections must be logical, based on fact and practical alternatives sought.

[Stationery Supplies]

http://themarpleleaf.blogspot.com/2011/08/marple-supermarket-arguments-for.html

Interesting reading.

[sooty2]

It may be worth considering another approach, in addition to all those currently being investigated.  Marple residents have used the college site for many years as a sporting / recreational ground.  Youth teams play/train on the football pitches, the sports hall is used for many sports in all weathers.

We may be able to add some weight to the 'open green space' argument??  See the following link for more information  http://www.opengreenspace.com/news/communities-get-power-to-protect-green-spaces/  Sporting England carry a lot weight too and it may be worth asking for their opinion http://www.sportengland.org/facilities__planning/putting_policy_into_practice/playing_fields.aspx

"Local communities will be able to earmark for special consideration local ‘green space’ land – whether its value is in its natural beauty, its historic resonances, its recreational value, its tranquillity or its importance as wildlife habitat"

Just a thought....?

Thanks for the suggestion Jo s,That and similar items are already being looked into. Keep 'em coming though Every little helps!

[sooty2]

Some years ago, following the lead of other residents in our road, I joined in a protest about a new block of flats being built in our road. It also evoked an outcry at a local area committee, demands for information about who knew what and when, claims about depressing house prices, traffic etc. The council dutifully threw out the planning proposal and the developers subsequently won their appeal. I look at what was built and wonder why I campaigned against it - it doesn't look bad and has negligible impact on me or the local environment. I was stupid to jump on the bandwagon of opposing change for the sake of opposing change.

The same appears to be happening here. I note with some concern that some of the most vociferous opponents of a supermarket scheme are the same people who vigorously condemned the work on Dan Bank. Well, look at that now: it is a magnificent piece of civil engineering, looks tidy, is a lot safer and, with a bit of care of the trees, will be many times better than before.

People make a lot about CAMSFC's governors not living in Marple. Well, looking at the photographs of the march, quite a lot of the participants don't live anywhere close to Hibbert Lane either and aren't going to be remotely affected by this scheme.

Likewise, if you drive out of Marple to do a "big supermarket shop" you are taking both your traffic fumes and your spending power out of Marple, not helping either the environment or the local traders. If you demand that the college don't think just about money, then don't raise the issue of your house prices. If you complain about living in line of sight of a supermarket then just stand on the opposite side of Hibbert Lane and look at the college - it isn't the prettiest of buildings.

I am somewhat neutral about the local small shops - none of them are open when I come home from work and I am forced to spend money in the co-op ... or the co-op (yes, time that monopoly ended). On the other hand my children will shortly be going to the college every day, so I, like the governors and principal of CAMSFC, am concerned about their education and I really don't care whether the governors and principal live in Marple or not. Most of the wage-earners in Marple don't actually work in Marple - they commute outside.

Perhaps it is time for a new forum topic to start suggesting realistic alternative proposals for how Marple Sixth-Form College - and yes, it is MARPLE'S sixth form college - can raise the money they need for new build. I may (observing the poll) be in a minority in this forum who would like a new supermarket, but I don't think I am the only person in Marple in that position.

Hollins,if the apartments built on the bungalow site Staion Rd/Hollins Green Rd are what you are talking about,they are a lot less intrusive as a supermarket.There is no comparison!Of course people all over Marple will be affected by increased traffic not just Hibbert lane and surrounding roads, thats why they attended the march amongst other reasons

[marpleexile]

It may be worth considering another approach, in addition to all those currently being investigated.  Marple residents have used the college site for many years as a sporting / recreational ground.  Youth teams play/train on the football pitches, the sports hall is used for many sports in all weathers.

We may be able to add some weight to the 'open green space' argument??  See the following link for more information  http://www.opengreenspace.com/news/communities-get-power-to-protect-green-spaces/  Sporting England carry a lot weight too and it may be worth asking for their opinion http://www.sportengland.org/facilities__planning/putting_policy_into_practice/playing_fields.aspx

"Local communities will be able to earmark for special consideration local ‘green space’ land – whether its value is in its natural beauty, its historic resonances, its recreational value, its tranquillity or its importance as wildlife habitat"

Just a thought....?

It's worth a try.

However, whilst a lot has been made of the fact that they *could* build a Supermarket the size of Portwood on the plot of land as a whole, I think that if/when their planning application is submitted, it'll be for something much smaller (along the lines of Glossop), that would fit within the footprint of the existing buildings.

If they did that, then it would be a good PR move for them to propose rejuvenating the open space, committing to maintaining it, and maybe even improving it - say adding a children's play area similar to that in Memorial Park. And, of course, doing that would nullify one of the valid routes of objection to redevelopment of the site, loss of amenity (ie loss of the open space).