'Bit of a downmarket move for Longton?' Locals react to Tesco Express news
The former Blundells hardware shop in Longton is to become a Tesco Express - and there’s been a mixed reaction from locals.
News that a Tesco Express is set to open in one of South Ribble’s best-loved villages has been met with a mixed reaction from locals.
The news answered a lot of questions from villagers over the shop, which has been empty since the end of October, and put rumours of a KFC to bed.
But it hasn’t been with overwhelming positivity, with many quick to point out that it doesn’t add anything new to the village, and doesn’t fit with the character of the area.
“Better as a wine bar”
One Marsh Lane resident said: “Im not sure a Tesco Express fits in with the semi rural village aspect of Longton or whether its needed, given we Booths and Spar. Also hoping it doesn't make that corner too busy as far as the road is concerned.”
Shivani Cassie said: “What a shame . I dont even think there is a need for a Tesco Express in the village. It’s such a lovely building and could have been used as something much nicer.”
Andrew Martin agreed, saying: “Would have been better as a wine bar”, and Marcus John Dowling said: “Bit of a down market move for Longton?”
Matthew Whitfield said: “Bad news - strips the character from the village.”
Other people said they thought a Tesco Express would do well in that location, but worried about the impact it would have on Booths, while others saw the increase competition as a good thing.
Darren Jones said: “Booths charge over the odds and theres nothing wrong with a bit of competition.Every little helps ...”
Commenting on the building’s history as a Co-op, Kenneth Hawarden said: “Started life as a Co-op, so back to square one.”
The plans
Plans to upgrade the building - 155 to 161 Liverpool Road, were approved by South Ribble Borough Council on April 20. They consist of a single-storey extension to the rear of the existing retail unit to provide storage and staff welfare facilities to allow the sales area to be extended into the existing stockroom and staff areas.
Owner Nick Thompson also wants to make alterations to the eastern side of the building, including the removal of the existing storeroom and office to improve the car park and external servicing areas.
The external storage area will be reduced and altered to allow the car park to be enlarged and allow offstreet deliveries. The car park currently provides 11 parking spaces and delivery vehicles including large lorries currently offload goods at the roadside on a bend in the road.
The improvements to the parking area will provide 15 customer and staff parking spaces, two spaces for the residential flats above the shop and will allow commercial delivery vehicles to enter and manoeuvre within the site and unload within the curtilage of the premises.
The materials used for the extension will tie in with the existing building, including the use of blue slate, and off-white rendered brickwork, with sandstone copings. Windows and doors are to be painted in anthracite grey.