Tesco bosses warned they will face a backlash if they carry on fighting Holbeach Aldi plan
Supermarket bosses have been urged to drop their fight against plans for a rival store - and were warned they could ‘tarnish their reputation’ if they continue their opposition.
Tesco launched a last minute bid to try to block plans for a new Aldi in Holbeach last week.
This failed when members of South Holland District Council’s planning committee voted in favour of the project for the Fleet Street depot site.
Committee vice chairman Coun Roger Gambba-Jones also delivered a warning to Tesco bosses that they face the wrath of residents should they want to try to overturn this decision.
He said: “Tesco claims to be the servant of the great public.
“I would remind them that a number of those public live in Holbeach and all of those members of the public are tax payers of South Holland District Council.
“If they pursue the route they are known to pursue - if they don’t get their own way and take the ultimate route of judicial review just to be awkward and bloody minded as a delaying tactic to what has got virtually universal support - it would be to their detriment reputation wise.
“I know we’re only a small fish in a very big pond but it would be a great disappointment to see Tesco tarnish their reputation even further than it already is.
“Most of us know what their behaviour is around the country - and how far they’ve sunk compared to the pinnacle they were held at many years ago.
“I would hope that they demonstrate the better person this time round and let well be.
“Help Holbeach carry on improving as it is and let them gain and benefit from this investment.
“Let this supermarket come to town.”
A letter submitted to the council by London-based planning consultancy Martin Robeson Planning Practice had raised several points of objection on behalf of Tesco, which has a store in Boston Road South in Holbeach.
It felt there were ‘inadequate’ assessments of the site chosen and its impact on the rest of the area, and spoke of the ‘loss of employment land’.
It accused the documents submitted by Aldi in terms of the impact on other retailers as being ‘overly simplistic’ and ‘based on assumptions which have not been justified’.
Its statement added: “Although there is retail impact material that is either not visible to the public or has not been undertaken, we have identified that there is enough justification to refuse the application on grounds of a significant adverse impact to the town centre.”
Members unanimously voted in favour of Aldi’s plan.
Coun Gambba-Jones added: “We want this development, we want this investment and we want these jobs.”
We have approached Tesco for a comment.
Councillors believe Aldi will be good for Holbeach
Aldi’s application to build a store on the council depot site in Fleet Street was given unanimous approval by members of South Holland District Council’s planning committee on Wednesday.
Richard Thompson, speaking on behalf of Aldi, said: “Unfortunately, this is a tactic the company has applied across other parts of the UK to convince members to defer an application which, in turn, delays our investment.
“Our planning consultant has responded to the issues raised.
“Tesco is particularly concerned about the impact on the town centre as a whole should this proposal go ahead.”
Mr Thompson went on to say that surveys undertaken ahead of the application found that ‘45% of convenient shopping trips are undertaken outside of the Holbeach catchment area’ - meaning residents often travel to do their shop elsewhere.
He added that 97% of responders to consultations were in favour of the plans.
“The Aldi store would have the ability to claw back some of this trade,” he said.
“Whilst we accept there will be some loss of trade for Tesco and Co-Op, our proposal will ensure that people remain in Holbeach rather than travelling further afield for a supermarket trip.”
He also added that the store would create about 40 new jobs, full time and part time.
Councillors responded positively to the application, recognising the need for more shops as the town continues to increase.
Coun Andrew Woolf said: “Holbeach is a growing town, we should know, we pass a lot of the applications. Why should there not be more competition?
“I grew up in Holbeach and the high street was thriving. It had greengrocers, bakers etc.
“Then Tesco came in and the High Street died. I’m not saying that’s because of Tesco, but the competitive edge was overtaken by the supermarket joining.
“The town has now diversified. You go through the High Street and side streets and find that they’re not doing things that Tesco or Aldi do, they offer an alternative and most of the shops are full.
“I don’t see there being an impact on the High Street, I think it will draw people in from the wider villages.
“It’s a good layout and I’m in full support of it.
“It’s a good, positive application.”
Coun Allan Beal also went onto say: “When you consider how Holbeach has grown and is growing, an additional supermarket of this nature is needed.”
Coun Christine Lawton also welcomed the application, saying that Tesco had a ‘monopoly in Holbeach’ that there had been a general ‘Tescoisation’ of England.
Planning committee chairman James Avery said the supermarket proposal was welcome at a time when high streets are struggling.
He said: “I think competition is a very healthy thing on the high street at a time where many of our high streets are falling into disrepair and struggling.
“This development will bring a different audience into Holbeach with a different appetite.
“Once they’re in Holbeach, then they spend their money elsewhere.
“Hundreds of houses are being passed and are being built as we speak.
“Holbeach is growing and thriving and I think this application fits in with that.
Holbeach councillor Graham Rudkin spoke in favour of the bid.
He said: “This application is fully supported by all Holbeach ward members and the parish council.
“Most people in Holbeach are looking forward to it - it’s a good thing for the town.”
