Tesco gets green light for Berwick foodstore
TESCO has finally been given the green light by the Government to build a foodstore on the outskirts of Berwick.
The long-awaited verdict means that the supermarket giant can now press ahead with its development of a greenfield site situated next to Allan Brothers on Ord Road in Tweedmouth.
It is more than two years since the Tesco scheme was initially approved by Berwick Borough Council only for the decision to be called in by the Government along with several other retail applications in the town.
Max Curtis, Tesco corporate affairs manager, said: "We are delighted the planning inspector supported our argument which has always been that the site would bring great investment and much needed competition into Berwick.
"We now have to look at the full report and consider our next steps."
The decision is bad news for rivals Asda which wanted to open a store in the former Pringle knitwear factory on the Tweedside Trading Estate.
An appeal lodged by Kensington and Edinburgh Estates, which wanted Asda as the centrepiece of its redevelopment scheme, was dismissed.
In addition, an application by the Kilmartin Property Group for retail development next to the Tesco site at Ord Road was refused despite having received the initial backing of Berwick Borough Council.
Instead, a 50% extension to Morrisons and a non-retail development by Ediston adjacent to the supermarket have been approved.
John Robertson, chairman of Berwick Chamber of Trade, said: "It's to be hoped that the new business which an extended Morrisons and new Tesco will draw in will in some way compensate for any loss of trade suffered by existing retailers, not only in Berwick but also in the small communities which surround it."
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Saturday 25 May 2013
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