REGARDING the proposed Sainsbury’s store in Ledbury – I am writing to let you know what the experience of having a Sainsbury’s supermarket has been here in St John’s, Worcester.
St John’s is known as the ‘village in the city’ because of the wide variety of independent shops.
Sainsbury’s opened a store here around 2.5 years ago and since then several local shops have closed and many others are struggling.
Some of the shops that closed are now reoccupied, but what has happened is that useful shops like newsagents, hardware and fruit and veg shops have been replaced with shops selling cheap gifts.
Sainsbury’s also owns a row containing a derelict shop, a burnt out cinema and nightclub and in 2.5 years it has done nothing with them; neither demolishing nor restoring them.
Many local residents feel that by not dealing with this blight Sainsbury’s has shown no respect for the appearance and community of St John’s.
I urge readers to think about the effects of a superstore on your vibrant, diverse town centre and on independently-owned local businesses.
MRS C GRIFFITHS
St John’s, Worcester
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