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FSB calls on Hambleton District Council to halt Supermarket Development

The Federation of Small Businesses in Teesside and North Yorkshire is calling on Hambleton District Council to halt the planning application for a supermarket development in Stokesley.

Stokesley is a vibrant Georgian town with a wide variety of popular retail businesses including greengrocers, butchers and newsagents which will be threatened by any new supermarket development.

In a survey of small independent retailers carried out by the FSB Teesside Branch the majority were against any proposed supermarket development which would threaten their livelihoods. Experience shows that shops offering the same products as the supermarkets such as butchers, bakers, greengrocers and newsagents can expect to lose 50% of their business overnight

This is backed up by research from Mintel which says that ‘arguably the biggest threat to smaller towns and the high street is the increased provision of convenience by major grocery stores.’

Michael Janes, FSB Teesside Branch Chairman, said: “Small businesses and independent retailers in areas like Stokesley are a critical part of the local community.

“Not only do they provide local employment but also provide a wide range of goods and services ranging from butchers and bakers through to greengrocers and newsagents. 50% of the turnover of independent retailers goes back into the local community compared to just 5% from supermarkets.

“When supermarkets enter local communities they have a huge impact on the vitality of the local area. Experience shows that the jobs lost from local businesses are not replaced by new jobs in the supermarket.

“The developers own impact study suggests that Great Ayton retail shops will lose £500k of turnover and Stokesley will lose £2.8 million should a supermarket open on the edge of town. We think that this is a low estimate and the financial impact will be felt much wider than Great Ayton and Stokesley.

“We are calling on Hambleton District Council to reject this application and ensure that trade is kept local.”

Local resident and FSB member Bridget Holmstrom said: “Local residents are unanimous in their objection to the planned development. There are 600 objections to the plan on the Hambleton planning portal.

“Over 3,500 signatures have been collected on a petition against the development and the Parish Council has voted unanimously against the development.. Stokesley is a vibrant Georgian town which thrives because of its independent retailers.

“The imposition of a supermarket would not only see the variety of stores disappear but the character of our town would be stained.

“Local residents want Hambleton District Council to listen to our concerns and reject this planning application.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Hanson .