Opposition continues over Co-op proposals for new stores
Ryan Taylor
Opposition has continued to mount over Co-op plans to open new stores.
The prime concern is on the potential impact on existing businesses. Road safety is also a concern.
However, some residents voiced support.
Sandwick Community Council has been seeking views.
It plans to form a collective view at its meeting next Tuesday.
Interim chairman Kieran Malcolmson widespread opinion had already been expressed.
Separately, a responses have been posted on the council’s planning page.
The roads department has warned upgrades will be required to cope with extra traffic.
The chairman of Scalloway Community Council launched fresh criticism at the proposals.
John Hunter said they came at a crucial time for the village.
Scalloway Meat Company’s Neil Watt says he will close if he can not sell the shop.
The Co-op has insisted its shops help retain spending in a community which can often benefit other retailers.
* See today’s Shetland Times for full story.
Mrs. Sandra Brooks
The coop shops will be a great advantage to Sandwick & Scalloway it will enable people to do more shopping closer to their homes instead of having to drive or travel by bus especially in the wintertime. I could also benefit other local shops as it will bring more people into the area who would otherwise just shop at Tesco or Coop in Lerwick. I don’t at the moment live in Shetland but I do visit normally on a regular basis.
Ali Inkster
Since the roads department insisted that the local applicant for a new shop had the work needed to upgrade the road leading to their proposed site at their own cost, causing them to have to look elsewhere.
and all things supposedly being equal, will they be insisting the co-op does the same with any road improvements needed to accommodate their new stores?
I would humbly suggest that a roundabout and extra lanes will be needed at the head of the East Voe of Scalloway. And a major upgrade of the road both north and south of the proposed site in Sandwick.
Or is it as Orwell suggested some are more equal than others?