What's wrong with Sainsbury's coming to Stamford? Why can't local people have the choice of where to shop?
The town centre was killed 20 years ago when Morrisons opened its doors.
Pauleys, Pacey & Canham, Richardsons, Fancourts, Dickensons, Chantrells and numerous others whose names escape me, all independent retailers of quality produce have gone, f
orever.
The town has now regenerated, we have many independents selling quality fashion, furniture, arts and crafts and wonderful cafes and restaurants, catering to locals and visitors from a wide area.
Stamford is now firmly established as a retail centre, this is being confirmed by the big name shops coming to the town.
These are difficult times for traders, the credit crunch is the word on everyone's lips.
What will have an adverse effect on Stamford town centre, is the proposed retail development behind next to Morrisons.
If our town council wish to preserve our town centre they would do well to concentrate their efforts on this.
Sainsbury's are a food retailer, their arrival would have an effect on the supermarket giants already established, which would benefit locals with the possibility of a price war.
There may be a slight increase in traffic on Ryhall Road, the only downside of this will be that it will be even more difficult to enter or exit the retail park .
The upside will be less traffic on Uffington Road.
Jeremy Ball
Independent Retailer
North Street
StamfordThe majority of Stamford town councillors are once again showing their complete ineptitude.
If they are really concerned about business in the town centre they would be best advised to do something about parking and the amount of rates shopkeepers have to pay.
Surely a bit of price competition between Sainsbury's and the only other supermarket in Stamford in the same league would be beneficial to everyone. No use putting it to the vote, of course.
The town council has already proved that they are not concerned about the feelings of Stamford residents with the Red Lion Square and Eleanor Cross shambles.
Len Loullis
Hillary Close
StamfordWhy are Stamford Town Council concerned about the town centre trade being hampered if Sainsbury's opens a store on the Focus site?
What town centre trade? All we have in the town is clothes shops, phone shops, charity shops, estate agents, etc. I can't see Sainsbury's taking trade away from them.
Why does Coun Binder think that Ryhall Road would become a chaotic nightmare?
I am sure that Coun Binder must remember when Blackstones and Morton Markham had factories on Ryhall Road, they caused a big problem in the morning and evening, but they have gone now.
The only thing that causes problems in Ryhall Road are traffic lights. There are four sets of lights on that stretch of road starting at the school and ending at Drift Road.
Stamford is a ghost town for shoppers, don't make it any more so. Let's try to keep Stamford shoppers in Stamford and not drive any more to Peterborough and Grantham.
The people in Stamford voted the council in to work for them, not against us.
MR TAYLOR
Empingham Road
StamfordCongratulations to Coun Harrish Bisnauthsing for talking sense.
The sooner a quality supermarket like Sainsbury's opens in Stamford the better. I do in fact live in the Ryhall Road area of Stamford and can see nothing but good in the Sainsbury's proposals.
Surely, competition between supermarkets can only benefit the consumer.
RACHEL MACKEONIS
Hillary Close,
Stamford The full article contains 583 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
