A Shrewsbury councillor has slammed ‘frightening’ plans by Tesco to demolish buildings to make way for the expansion of its store by a third.
Earlier this week the retail giant unveiled plans to expand its Extra store on Battlefield Road in a move that will see a number of banks and offices on Harlescott Lane demolished. These include Lloyds Bank, Barclays, HSBC, Natwest and Henry Lees solicitors.
It comes several years after a campaign was launched by the late Councillor Eileen Sandford to protect the buildings after proposals were first mooted to build on the land.
Shrewsbury councillor Peter Nutting, said it was ‘frightening’ that the firm could dispose of the buildings without informing local managers.
He said: “It is horrifying, they don’t seem to care about the loss of the banks for the people in that area.”
He claimed that while Tesco informed national bank bosses about the potential demolition plans, local branch managers on Harlescott Lane have been left out of the loop.
“They will simply be served notices that leases will be finishing and will have to sort out relocation themselves. Tesco won’t give them any help, “ he said.
A spokesman for Barclays said: “We have not received any notice to break the terms of our existing lease. If and when we receive such notice, we will make the necessary arrangements to ensure we continue to provide the highest levels of service to Barclays customers across the region.”
A spokesperson for Tesco said: “Our customers tell us they would like the choice of a wider range of goods from Tesco. To try and meet those needs we would like to expand the sales area of the existing store by around 30 per cent. To do that we would utilise the land that Tesco owns and which is currently occupied by a number of banks and offices along Harlescott Lane. The banks have been consulted about our plans.”
Meanwhile at a meeting of the Town Council this week, councillors argued the extra revenue Tesco will receive from non food items due to the extension could have a crippling effect on town centre traders.
An exhibition of the new proposals will be on display in the store on June 17 and 18. Plans are expected to be submitted by the end of July.
by Catherine Ferris