Local Shopkeepers object to new store plans

On March 25th Heron Foods submitted a planning application to convert the former Westminster Pub in St Ann’s into two large new shops. Heron Foods which mainly sells frozen food products would occupy one of the new units, while another retailer would occupy the other. On April 10th the application was amended to allow a ‘hot food take away’ to occupy the second ground floor unit.

Local shopkeepers have now collected a petition containing about 500 signatures objecting to the plans. The petition was handed into the city council on Monday 29th April.

The shops concerned; Flints in Ransom Road, The Chase Fish Bar, and the general stores in Ball Street & Bartholomew's Road are objecting because it would affect their trade, which may result in local job losses. They also seriously object to the ‘hot food takeaway’ being part of the Heron plans, because it would mean a significant increase in antisocial behaviour in the area. With yobs intimidating their many customers.

In St Ann’s itself, its fair to say everyone wants the new store to open in the near future because it is desperately needed in the area. With the closure of all the shops on the nearby Robin Hood Chase in less then 16 weeks, it leaves just two local shops, and two pubs in the St Ann’s.

The planning application will now be determined by city planners, and is likely to go before the planning committee sometime in July.