Let’s hope this is the end of it

As a local independent business owner in the area, it seemed inevitable that the town would lose even more established businesses, to be replaced by a large multi-national. The job gains would have easily been outweighed by the losses as happened with the closure of three food related shops opposite the Sainsburys convenience store in Warwick in Coten End.

I would sound a slight bit of caution to those who think the plans may be dead.

Firstly, rumour has it that Sainsburys may still consider putting a smaller convenience store in place at the location until opposition dissipates and secondly, if Sainsburys appeals, the Government has a track record of over-ruling local council planning decisions and there is then no further appeal possible by objectors.

I keep my fingers crossed that this does not occur in this case.

Lamats Hardware Shop customers have regularly spoken about their concerns for this development. This even prompted us into formally placing an objection to the plans on the council’s website before the meeting. Hopefully this did have a positive effect. - Paul A Haslam, Lamats Hardware Shop, Leamington.