Denbigh Tesco decision expected

Sep 3 2008 By David Simister

PLANS to bring a new Tesco supermarket to Denbigh could be given the green light this morning (Wednesday), when county councillors meet to discuss the proposal.

An application to transform the former Kwik Save store, which closed two years ago, into a new branch of Britain’s biggest supermarket will be discussed at the county council’s planning meeting in Ruthin.

"I’m hopeful that this application goes through and brings some good news for the construction industry and for employment in Denbigh generally in these though times," said Nigel Dick, director of Leicester-based developers Cathco Property Group, which owns the site.

"We’re hoping that if we get approval, we’ll be looking to start work on the site in the new year. Tesco are already on board, as are a number of other nationally-known retailers. There have been a number of small concerns but overall the response has been fantastic and it’s very exciting news."

The plans were re-ignited earlier this year, with hopes that if approved the new development would bring Tesco and up to 16 other smaller retailers to the site on Vale Street.

If approved, the new supermarket could create up to 250 jobs for the area and give shoppers an alternative to the Morrisons supermarket, currently the only bulk food supplier in the town.

The application, which was previously criticised for the increased amount of traffic it would bring to Denbigh town centre, has already gained the support of Denbigh Town Council, where eight out of 12 councillors voted to support the scheme in a meeting earlier this year. Planning company White Young Green confirmed that changes had been made to the designs of the smaller retail areas to make them more suitable for their Vale Street location, although plans for the larger Tesco store remain the same.

"It will certainly make an impact on the town, but what we have to make sure is that the negative side of that impact is reduced as much as possible," said Denbigh Cllr Gwyneth Kensler.

"Supermarkets always stress how many new jobs will be created, but it’s never mentioned how many others from smaller traders could be displaced." Another concern is the impact of 500 cars using the car park, so I’d like to see any impact that could affect the town to be as minimal as possible."

Cathco purchased the property from previous owners Somerfield in September 2006, five months after the town’s Kwik Save store closed its doors.