Work begins on new Morrisons store at Windermere (From The Westmorland Gazette)
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Work begins on new Morrisons store at Windermere
3:58pm Tuesday 13th November 2012 in News
By Ellis Butcher, Reporter
THE newest supermarket to arrive in the Lake District is starting to take shape – but not without criticisms.
Contractors on behalf of Morrisons are now working inside the former Style Trading premises on Main Road, Windermere, while a recruitment drive for new sales assistants has been launched.
At a Lake District National Park Authority planning meeting members agreed to a number of alterations for the new store – but faced several general letters of objection to the new development.
Against the wishes of some objectors, the retailer has not been subject to the usual comprehensive plan-ning process that can take place when a new supermarket arrives.
Instead, the takeover of the building by the supermarket chain is being treated as merely alterations to existing planning consent for the building, which was first granted in 1994.
This point was made by officials in papers before members, which said: “Some letters (of objection) query the status of the application suggesting that we need to consider the full implications of the development rather than just treating it as alterations.”
Windermere Town Council has campaigned for shopping trolleys to be kept inside the store rather than outside as they believe it would detract from the street’s status in a Conservation Area.
Windermere and Bowness Civic Society also wrote to the authority with concerns about potential opening hours of 6am to 11pm, which they regard as ‘unneighbourly’.
One objector also believed that the supermarket – a third for the town including the Co-operative and Booths – could combine to squeeze small traders, while another felt ‘a brand such as Morrisons’ was totally out of keeping with the area’.
Other concerns have been expressed about floodlights and the impact of supermarket traffic on the town’s one-way system.
However, planners said they could only consider issues that were material to the application.
The report said: ”On the basis that the proposed use of the premises will comply with the existing permission and its conditions, we can only consider the proposals applied for.
“The issues of access, deliveries, hours of opening and the effect of a new supermarket store of this size, are not therefore, material to our determination of this application.”
The application was granted with conditions – and it was said that Morrisons had agreed not to put a trolley park at the front of the building.
Comments(12)
cumbrian1
says...
6:16pm Tue 13 Nov 12
Remember when Booths came and people said it would effect small traders like the butchers but both butchers are still going.
LADY TILLY WINDERMERE
says...
7:07pm Tue 13 Nov 12
Unfortunately I feel sorry for the new Local couple who have recently purchase the petrol station next door to the new Morrisons They bought it before Morrison took over Style Trading Store, I belive they are been Bullied !!!! by the super market chain who are making their life impossible by all the building work which is been undertaken at the site and all the construction traffic which is crossing their free hold petrol forecourt at this time , and when the super market opens it will cause more headaches with traffic trying to get in and out of the supermarket carpark which has access across Main Road petrol station forecourt , I belive the Super market giants want the local Petrol station to take fuel deliveries at the time it suits Morrisons not when it suits the owners of the petrol station, I belive they are been bullies to the LOCAL couple who own the fuel station and live in the Village , But dont worry the Lady of the petrol station is a fiesty person and will not bow down to the Supermarket SHARKS . I really cant waite to see the gridlock of the traffic in the main road and cresent road due to people parking to run in to Morrisons as it is a night mare down Bowness outside Tesco's with cars parking in loading bay. I think the highways and planning board need to relook at the traffic situation and how they will cope with gridlock at peak times in a one way street. think it may be too late now Morrison is due to open in 4 weeks time!!!
LADY TILLY WINDERMERE
says...
7:15pm Tue 13 Nov 12
cumbrian1 wrote:Sorry I wont be seen in Morrison !!! as I have used Morrison once this year and that is because I took an old lady shopping there as I offered to help her do her shopping after her operation and she wanted to go to Morrison not by choice I was in there so I wont be in the new M local as it will be called !! .
To all the people who are moaning about the store I will no doubt see you in there picking up your bog offs!!
Remember when Booths came and people said it would effect small traders like the butchers but both butchers are still going.
And the local butchers are worried about the impact of anothere supermarket arriving on their door steps.!!
lakesailor
says...
12:13am Wed 14 Nov 12
So it's a value choice you are making against Morrison's and not based on the benefits of a new store and employer.
We must try and get the planners to consult you on your personal preferences in the future.
snuggle-bunny
says...
1:19am Wed 14 Nov 12
Lakeuk
says...
12:46pm Wed 14 Nov 12
M Local will do ok, they would of researched their market, other businesses will be wise to adjust and offer lines that national chains can't do
Pringle1982
says...
6:20pm Wed 14 Nov 12
But we don't want them here!!!!"
It's one or t'other. People want it all ways all the time. Obviously there's a demand for the store otherwise they wouldn't bother. Let's just be happy there's not another empty shop sitting there.
Adam_Kendal
says...
4:43pm Thu 15 Nov 12
Yes there is Booths and Co-Op, but their prices are extortionate! I used to have to drive to Kendal to do my shopping, usually in Morrisons, which still worked out cheaper compared to doing the same shop in Booths.
I bet the majority of the people complaining are those that are more well-off, who can afford the expensive local butchers, expensive local florists, expensive bakery and expensive Booths.
KingofGrasmere
says...
12:34pm Fri 16 Nov 12
life cycle too
says...
12:13am Sat 17 Nov 12
They had previously abandoned Windermere, where they had occupied the present BOOTS premises.
Interestingly the COOP and BOOTS are both national chains like the one presently engaged in occupying premises in Windermere!
I don't see anything wrong in a company wishing to trade in Windermere, but the access in and out of the car park is entirely unsuitable, and the National Park Authority should have paid more attention to this aspect.
At the rear of this site is a long established local business that supplies catering establishments all around the area - that has grown to the extent that it is too big for the site - and would be better sited outside of Windermere.
Now the LDNPA have seen fit to add to the woes of the residents of College Road when they had a chance to prevent it.
McClures would no doubt welcome the opportunity to move elsewhere - if the LDNPA were far thinking enough to allow an out of town site somewhere!
So it is not fair to abuse Morrisons for wishing to open a store - ANY business could have had the same opportunity, but it IS fair to say they are wrong to occupy THIS site, and that the LDNPA should have done more to guide them away, or limit the car park use.
mailman1964
says...
9:35am Sun 18 Nov 12
clearly though some like living in that time -they suffer from "Prosophobia" i believe.
zaney5 says...
5:39pm Tue 13 Nov 12