Pro-campaign for Sainsbury’s (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Pro-campaign for Sainsbury’s

10:00am Tuesday 17th August 2010 in News By Ash Bolton

Pro-campaign for Sainsbury’s

A PRO-Sainsbury’s group has raised the stakes in the long-running debate about the superstore opening in Bishop’s Waltham.

The group, Bishop’s Waltham Another View (BWAV), wants to see the new supermarket open on the edge of town on the Abbey Mill site.

BWAV, which has been set up with the help of Sainsbury’s marketing company, GKA, now has 44 members on its Facebook page.

Peter Watson, 52, chairman of BWAV, said: “Bishop’s Waltham is a growing town and we believe that the new Sainsbury’s would provide an increased shopping choice, create hundreds of new jobs for local people, and attract shoppers from the surrounding area to stay in our town, all whilst saving millions of road miles every year and an increase in passing trade for business in the High Street.

“Not everyone can easily reach existing supermarkets or can afford to do a main shop in Bishop’s Waltham because they don’t drive or have a limited income.

“A new affordable supermarket, coupled with a brand new doctors’ surgery at Abbey Mill, would be a real lifeline to many people in the town and Meon Valley.”

As reported in the Hampshire Chronicle last week, more than 100 members of BWAG, which opposes the opening of the 35,000 sq ft store, handed in a 4,500 signature petition to council bosses in Winchester on July 31.

Tony Kippenberger, chairman of the BWAG, said: “Since the plans have been discussed for 18 months amidst a great deal of publicity, the formation of a new supporters’ Facebook group with around 44 members, just before the formal consultation period ends, sounds like too little, too late to me.”

Both groups are now asking members for a show of support at a parish council meeting in the town’s Jubilee Hall tonight to discuss the application.

BWAV, whose website was part set up by Sainsbury’s marketing company, said it was keeping the supermarket at “arms length”, but added GKA put supporters in touch with each other.

A spokesman for Sainsbury’s said: “We are obviously pleased that a group has formed to back our proposals which will help to give a more balanced view of local feeling throughout the rest of the planning process.”

The news comes as Meon Valley MP George Hollingbery objected to plans for the supermarket, claiming it would harm the town’s shops.

He said: “Although I know there are divided opinions about a supermarket in Bishop’s Waltham, I have always said that if there is a risk of harm to the town centre and its wide range of shops, then I would object.”

Anyone interested in joining the BWAV group should contact 01489 896899 or email pmfwatson@talktalk.net.

Alternatively, those opposed to it can join BWAG at www.bwactiongroup.

org.uk, or email info@bwactiongroup.org.uk.

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