It should to be a marriage made in heaven but plans to bring a Waitrose supermarket to Wimbledon “threaten to suck the life out of the town centre,” critics have claimed.
Waitrose has earmarked the derelict B&Q building in Alexandra Road for the new store, but opponents said trade will be drawn out of the town centre and traffic will stack-up in residential roads, if approved.
Merton Council is appealing for the supermarket chain to find another location, but Waitrose is adamant the site which is 400m from the Broadway is the only financially-viable option.
Council leader, Councillor David Williams, said: “My message to Waitrose is help us improve the viability of our existing shopping centre and not suck the life out of it.
“The proposed site is out of town and people will not go there on foot. It won’t add to footfall but it will certainly draw people away.”
Diana Sterck, chief executive of Merton Chamber of Commerce, added: “Waitrose is a perfect match for Wimbledon, but building it in the proposed location will impact on the vitality of the area.”
Coun Williams and council officers met with senior managers from Waitrose on Tuesday to suggest alternative locations thought to include the Hartfield Road car park.
Waitrose has already begun a consultation with residents, the results of which are likely to be included in a planning application. But or approval Waitrose will need planners to approve a change of use application on the site, from wholesale to retail.
A new store would create 150 jobs and include a 99-space car park, but the Federation of Small Business (FSB) claimed its construction threatened independent shops in the village and town centre and enhance Wimbledon’s reputation as a “clone town.”
Stephen Alambritis, Merton Councillor and head of public affairs at the FSB, said: “Independent retailers are going to be pushed out of town.
“If planning permission is granted we want to see measures are in place to protect the area’s small businesses.”
A Waitrose spokesman said: “We pride ourselves on working with local businesses and believe Waitrose will complement existing traders.
"Waitrose would provide a retail anchor, which would stop trade escaping to neighbouring towns where people do their food shopping now. Instead, they would be encouraged to remain in the area, especially with the two hours free parking we are proposing.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel