I WRITE to express my view, being pleased at the thought of a new food store in or around Amesbury.
I live at Boscombe Down, on the Stonehenge estate, and we have signed petitions for such a thing to happen for the last ten to 15 years.
My husband and I moved to Amesbury as newlyweds in 1986, then the town had a population of about 9,000 people.
Twenty-two years on, plus two teenage children, we have a smaller Co-op in the town, and about 38,000
people in the area.
As Solstice Park has already been set aside for development, be it offices, KFC, leisure facilities, or
distribution centres, surely it cannot hurt to let us have a decent food store or two, so we don't have to travel to Salisbury or Andover for such things.
I don't know about you, but I will always drive to such a place, as I cannot comfortably carry
shopping for four, plus two cats.
So, whether it's just down at Solstice Park, London Road or in Amesbury Town centre I will drive to do a food shop.
That said, I appreciate the need for proximity for those people who do not drive and still need to buy food somewhere.
The hill from Amesbury to Boscombe Down is a "killer" with shopping, pushchairs, wheelchairs or a bicycle laden with the groceries.
So, for me, it is a yes please to Asda or Tesco.
Asda I think should be given preference, as Tesco is now at Tidworth and that is not too bad a journey.
DIANE RICHARDS, Amesbury
THE recent news of the Tesco supermarket plan for Amesbury comes as no
surprise with the current expansion of Amesbury and surrounding villages.
However, planners should now take a step back and look at what the people of Amesbury and the
surrounding villages want and need - and not just what they, the planners, envisage.
Many mistakes over the last few years have been made by planners that have led to delays.
The Co-op took almost ten years to get moving and the town has an empty shell right in the centre. How long this will remain is anyone's guess.
I believe we have Asda wanting now to come to the new corporate business park that has not attracted any corporate businesses.
Tesco is also interested, I am led to believe, in taking over a building in Durrington as a smaller urban shop.
They have also just opened a supermarket in Tidworth and they have already two outlets in Salisbury.
Asda has claimed that if granted planning, they will run a bus from Amesbury to their site.
If this can be extended to the surrounding villages, wouldn't this be an
advantage?
Asda also claim to sell their shopping basket on branded goods cheaper than any other of their rivals.
Their plan can be moved to be further away from private housing, their distribution can be made without
disruption to the town centre and it is easier for other
villages to the west, north and east to approach.
Finally, out of all the
existing supermarkets and the proposals only one has a forecourt.
This is, of course, Tesco in Salisbury, which we know is difficult to get in and out of.
Are those to the north of Salisbury to be denied the opportunity of cheaper fuel that can be collected as we shop?
If Amesbury is to move
forward then let it have the same advantages and choices given as any other town.
Let us also look at the employment it will offer to young people to get them off the street.
JOHN D WIGGLESWORTH, Durrington
3:05pm Thursday 14th February 2008
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CommentPosted by: qwerty38, wiltshire on 4:52pm Sun 17 Feb 08
HOPE ASDA COMES TO AMESBURY VERY GOOD NEWS JOBS VERYNEEDED COMPETITON KEEPS COSTS DOWN IN VERY POPULATED AREA AS AMESBURY BOSCOMEDOWN AREA GETTING LARGER,
HOPE ASDA COMES TO AMESBURY VERY GOOD NEWS JOBS VERYNEEDED COMPETITON KEEPS COSTS DOWN IN VERY POPULATED AREA AS AMESBURY BOSCOMEDOWN AREA GETTING LARGER,
Posted by: John Ellis, Farley on 10:25pm Thu 21 Feb 08
It is easy to see the personal benefits that a new supermarket might bring and they are mostly good but Amesbury and its surrounding villages hardly justify two such stores. A real loser will be the shops in the town centre because, banks and estate agents apart, all service shops could suffer.
Since the stores will be relatively close, why two. Solstice Park is growing and will offer employment that Amesbury may not be able to meet. In come more people needing more houses, more cars. It will certainly produce much more heavy goods traffic through the town and out on the A303 which has no prospect of being dualled beyond Stonehenge for many years.
If there is to be a Tesco in Tidworth, it may be preferred by nearby Bulford, even Durrington, who knows. Local people must also thinks of those less able to reach the new stores. The Asda bus service is only offered for a limite period - until you are well and truly hooked; they don't spend money unless there is something to gain!
If you are a long time resident or more recent you chose to live in the Amesbury as it is not because a supermarket was coming.
Yes, a supermarket would have advantages and there is a wonderful location up for grabs near the sewage farm. Perhaps English Heritage, who cannot build a Visitor Centre on it now, would offer it up for at a discount? Sorry, not a good joke.
It is easy to see the personal benefits that a new supermarket might bring and they are mostly good but Amesbury and its surrounding villages hardly justify two such stores. A real loser will be the shops in the town centre because, banks and estate agents apart, all service shops could suffer.
Since the stores will be relatively close, why two. Solstice Park is growing and will offer employment that Amesbury may not be able to meet. In come more people needing more houses, more cars. It will certainly produce much more heavy goods traffic through the town and out on the A303 which has no prospect of being dualled beyond Stonehenge for many years.
If there is to be a Tesco in Tidworth, it may be preferred by nearby Bulford, even Durrington, who knows. Local people must also thinks of those less able to reach the new stores. The Asda bus service is only offered for a limite period - until you are well and truly hooked; they don't spend money unless there is something to gain!
If you are a long time resident or more recent you chose to live in the Amesbury as it is not because a supermarket was coming.
Yes, a supermarket would have advantages and there is a wonderful location up for grabs near the sewage farm. Perhaps English Heritage, who cannot build a Visitor Centre on it now, would offer it up for at a discount? Sorry, not a good joke.
Posted by: sri, Amesbury on 2:43am Sat 1 Mar 08
NO TO ASDA OR TESCO!!!!
Amesbury is filling up too quickly with new business plans etc,
I Think Co-op in the town is plenty.
A big store will attract loads of people from surrounding towns and create chaos!!
The stonehenge project has been debated for years, it needs something done, bank holidays etc are a nightmare entering Amesbury from the A303, Imagine a super store??
Totally not needed!!
NO TO ASDA OR TESCO!!!!
Amesbury is filling up too quickly with new business plans etc,
I Think Co-op in the town is plenty.
A big store will attract loads of people from surrounding towns and create chaos!!
The stonehenge project has been debated for years, it needs something done, bank holidays etc are a nightmare entering Amesbury from the A303, Imagine a super store??
Totally not needed!!
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