Parking concerns over Tesco Express

Tesco Express is coming to Hipperholme and it could bring with it 20 new jobs.
Local residents and shopkeepers angry about proposed Tesco store in the village. Pictured are Felicity Rankin, William Rankin, Amanda Worsfold, coun Colin Raistrick, Geraldine Berry and Gemma McLenahan.Local residents and shopkeepers angry about proposed Tesco store in the village. Pictured are Felicity Rankin, William Rankin, Amanda Worsfold, coun Colin Raistrick, Geraldine Berry and Gemma McLenahan.
Local residents and shopkeepers angry about proposed Tesco store in the village. Pictured are Felicity Rankin, William Rankin, Amanda Worsfold, coun Colin Raistrick, Geraldine Berry and Gemma McLenahan.

But concerns have been raised about the lack of parking for customers and deliveries.

A spokeswoman for Tesco said: “We have secured a lease for the ground floor retail space in Leeds Road and submitted an application for signs. It has a good catchment area with a good parade of shops which we hope to add to. It is surrounded by residential properties and we hope to provide a local service for people living nearby.

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“This site is a common set up for stores, such as Tesco Express, and we have stores in areas like this where a large amount of customers will be coming by foot which is their sole purpose. This store will be used to top up people’s weekly shop instead of getting in their car and driving to the supermarket.”

Resident Amanda Worsfold said people would have to pay to shop in the store if the parking charges were implemented in the car park next to the development.

“This will vastly reduce the already limited parking available to customers of the local independent shops already in Hipperholme,” she said.

“Tesco Express is a ‘small local shop designed to serve the need of the surrounding community’ according to the letter. Are they aware that we have had such a retail facility within Hipperholme for in excess of 30 years in the guise of the Co-operative?

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“They stock a full range of supplies and are open seven days a week from 7am until 11pm which means that it is already there whenever people need them. In addition to the Co-operative, Hipperholme also boasts a fishmonger, butcher, two florists, a newsagent, a post office and a bakery.”

Councillor Colin Raistrick (Ind, Hipp/Light) said: “It is going to bring more people to the village but then the bigger issue is where are they all going to park. The council has approved plans to put a pay and display on the car park. The parking is going to be a nightmare.”

Councillor David Kirton (Con, Hipp/Light) was largely in favour of the store. “Parking is obviously a concern.”

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