02/02/12….Thame businesses quiz Sainsbury’s over supermarket plans

THAME4busines, which represents many businesses in the town, last Wednesday (25/01) hosted a Question and Answer event for retailers and businesses leaders to put their questions and concerns about the proposal for a new supermarket.

A team of five representatives of Sainsbury’s were invited to the meeting which was held in the Stables bar, behind the James Figg.

Among the areas of concern were parking provision, how much of the merchandise hoped to be sold would be made up of non-food items, whether the various shopping surveys carried out on behalf of Sainsbury’s were relevant, whether the community centre included in the plans was sufficient to meet the town’s needs, concerns about the provision for school drop-offs behind Barley Hill school, and the subject that worried most members at the meeting, the fate of the redundant existing Sainsbury’s store, should the Cattlemarket development go ahead.

The fear was expressed that, as happened with the closure of Woolworths, the loss of the large car park behind the building, would negatively affect footfall in the town centre.

Those who joined in the discussion included the Branch Manager of Waitrose, the Manager and Area Manager of Martins, Kismet Jewellers, Wrens Butchers (formerly Clays), Bizzie Lizzie, Free Range Clothing, The Cross Keys, Thame, CAAOS, Peach Pubs and Wallace’s Home Boutique.

ANYONE who would like sight of the meeting notes can email Sonja Francis: editor@thame.net