1:11pm Thursday 7th August 2008
A SUPERMARKET giant is to finally start building a new store in Weeke after delays of more than a year.
Waitrose announced that the work will begin next Monday (August, 11), much to the delight of residents and shopkeepers in the area.
Councillors too expressed relief that the project to build the 20,000 sq ft store, alongside four smaller shops and four one-bedroom apartments, is going ahead at last.
Julia Barnes, manager of Thresher wine shop opposite the site in Stoney Lane, said: "Its about time, I'm sick of looking at the site and the kids using it as a playground.
"At one point they even had a skate ramp in there, so the store is a long time coming."
Cllr Eileen Berry, of St Barnabas ward, said residents had feared that with the current economic climate, the site might have been put on hold.
She said: "For everybody in Weeke, it's a happy conclusion.
"It's good news for the area because the site is an eyesore at the moment and open to vandalism.
"Since planning permission has long been granted, it's time to move on with it."
Kuldip Singh, owner of Class 1 Dry Cleaners in Stoney Lane said: "It's a good development because it looks empty at the moment. It will be good for customers and should be good for businesses here too.
"My only fear is if someone else opens another dry cleaners on the site."
Brian Wareham, spokesman for the Chimney's group, which has campaigned against an Aldi store adjoining the site, said: "Planning permission has been granted so it is great news we are moving forward.
"We are disappointed the portable offices on the site will blight the area for the next 12 months, but it has looked awful for a long time, so it's good we're getting somewhere."
City planners gave the green light in May last year, but plans were delayed while proposals for the developer to improve nearby roads were ironed out.
The site will have 170 car parking spaces, mainly located in the basement below the store.
The site will also house a health centre, with the Friarsgate Medical Practice relocating there.
There will also be up to 150 job opportunities at the Waitrose branch, which is due to open in late September next year.
Nigel Keen, development director for Waitrose, said: "The feedback we have received has been extremely positive and we are delighted to now be in a position to commence work.
"We pride ourselves on becoming part of the fabric of a town and are looking forward to playing an important role here and offering more choice to the local community."
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