* The Dobson & Crowther site where the new Sainsbury's store is due to be built.
Despite claims from campaign group Keep Llangollen Special that it
would severely impact on the viability of local businesses, the plan to build
the 20,000 square foot store was approved by county planners in the autumn of
2012.
Sainsbury’s said later that the supermarket would open sometime this
year. And on the basis of the new store being built, local printworks Dobson & Crowther, whose site off the A5 it is due to occupy, recently moved to a new purpose-built factory at nearby Cilmedw as part of a linked planning scheme.
But just before Christmas a Sainsbury’s executive revealed in a letter to Llangollen Chamber of Trade and Tourism that the local supermarket was part of a general review of new store openings it was undertaking.
This was confirmed by a Sainsbury’s spokesman
yesterday (Tuesday) who said in a statement to llanblogger: “We are reviewing our plans across a number of
supermarket sites, including Llangollen. Once we are in a position to do so, we
will update people on our future plans.”
Llangollen county councillor Stuart Davies, a strong supporter of the scheme, said: "There are 130 jobs at risk here and contrary to the patronising nonsense put out by opponents, well paid jobs.
"People in our community are looking forward to working in the store. Legally binding Section 106 agreements were part of the planning process and I am sure that Sainsbury's will take all factors in to account if they are reviewing this project."
Llangollen county councillor Stuart Davies, a strong supporter of the scheme, said: "There are 130 jobs at risk here and contrary to the patronising nonsense put out by opponents, well paid jobs.
"People in our community are looking forward to working in the store. Legally binding Section 106 agreements were part of the planning process and I am sure that Sainsbury's will take all factors in to account if they are reviewing this project."
Martin Crumpton of Keep Llangollen
Special said: “While Keep Llangollen Special
has no wish to raise false hope, this is a remarkable departure from their
[Sainsbury's] recent hard-line position and is encouraging as it means the threat over local
jobs – the statistics are that edge-of-town supermarkets destroy on average 176
jobs within a 15-mile radius – it would also safeguard the essence of
Llangollen that attracts so many visitors, its distinctive lack of cloned
retail chains bearing testimony to the value of our small traders.
“However, even if this turns out to be a false hope and Sainsbury’s go through with constructing it, KLS will continue fighting it until the economics of online shopping and boycotting forces it to close. Our immediate concern will be the remaining jobs at Dobson & Crowther. We will continue to monitor the situation closely.”
Speaking to the Leader, Ken Skates, Assembly Member for Clwyd South, described the news as “concerning” as he was “anxious to ensure that Llangollen benefits from the promised jobs”.
But he added: “It is normal for companies to review operations in this manner and I will be seeking early assurances that work will not be delayed.”
“However, even if this turns out to be a false hope and Sainsbury’s go through with constructing it, KLS will continue fighting it until the economics of online shopping and boycotting forces it to close. Our immediate concern will be the remaining jobs at Dobson & Crowther. We will continue to monitor the situation closely.”
Speaking to the Leader, Ken Skates, Assembly Member for Clwyd South, described the news as “concerning” as he was “anxious to ensure that Llangollen benefits from the promised jobs”.
But he added: “It is normal for companies to review operations in this manner and I will be seeking early assurances that work will not be delayed.”
Re Stuart Davies' comment, "There are 130 jobs at risk here and contrary to the patronising nonsense put out by opponents, well paid jobs", one wouldn't have thought that Cllr Davies was interested in a career move into retailing at his age, but he's upset a lot of local voters over this issue and who knows where he may be looking for an income in a couple of years' time. At least at Sainsbury's he'll get 16 hours minimum wage and a staff discount. Of course, the nightmare scenario for him is no council post and no Sainsbury's. But it's alright, Stephanie Booth said that there was going to be a major supermarket in Llangollen and that there was no point in thinking otherwise. Funny old thing, life in a North Wales town ...
ReplyDeleteWhat they said a year ago:
ReplyDeleteClwyd South AM Ken Skates said: “The new plant will protect valuable skilled jobs at one of the area’s key employers, and the subsequent building of the Sainsbury’s store will open up a significant number of new job opportunities for local people”, while Councillor Stuart Davies welcomed the news that the short relocation of Dobson and Crowther will safeguard 100 jobs for residents and Sainsbury’s will bring another 130 jobs into Llangollen.
And what has happened in a year? The Dobson and Crowther skilled workforce has halved. Not to worry, they can all go and work unskilled in Sainsburys.
Davies and Skates, you wouldn't buy a used car off them with somebody else's money.
Has anyone seen adverts for the 130 well-paid jobs? There is no trace on the Sainsbury's job website and the ones advertised for other stores are mainly part-time, minimum wage.
ReplyDelete