Welcome mat put out for sale (From Gazette Series)

Welcome mat put out for sale

THE people of Dursley have given their approval to a new supermarket development planned for the town.

The Gazette exclusively revealed last week how Sainsbury's had been chosen as buyers for a site on Castle Street, which will be turned into a 20,000 sq ft store.

The news has received the backing of shoppers, traders and councillors who say it will improve Dursley's prospects.

The deal looks set to be rubber stamped in the coming weeks after Stroud District Council's cabinet approved the deal.

Town mayor Cllr Jane Ball said: "I'm absolutely thrilled about the news. A store like this in Dursley will help towards the regeneration of the town - hopefully other shops will follow its lead.

"I would hope it will attract more people into town as shoppers like to have some choice. I don't expect too many disruptions either because Sainsbury's will have done their homework and will know how to build the store."

Local traders have also reacted positively to the news. Silla King, (corr), vice-president of Dursley Chamber of Trade, said: "Everyone has been saying how good it's going to be.

"I can appreciate the plight of small traders like butchers and greengrocers but they have to realise that this could work in their favour.

"If you look at Nailsworth, where local traders work closely with the Somerfield store, this arrangement seems to work.

"The Sainsbury's store isn't going to be particularly big and will mainly sell food. I'm more worried about parking though, they will have to get that sorted if it's to attract lots of people.

"I am more concerned about the building process, especially with what's been going on in Cam. We don't want too many disruptions."

Shirley Hill, one of the organisers behind the district council's current Shop Local campaign, said: "A lot of local traders are suffering as people tend to work and often shop out of the area.

"If this new store brings people to the area then they'll hopefully visit other nearby stores.

"We are employing a consultant to come and devise a master plan for the town and see how the design of the area could attract more people to stop and visit shops.

"What's important to us, is that we link the new estates being built in Dursley (on the former Bymacks and Lister Petter sites) to the supermarket and local stores to get things really thriving in the town."