Sainsbury’s to open near Broadway
Sainsbury’s are to open a shop on Mare Street putting at risk the trade of the small stores on Broadway Market.
Sainsbury’s plan for the 200 sq metre shop, which will be only a short walk from Broadway Market, was only revealed after they submitted a licence application to sell alcohol (you can object here). Hackney Council planners changed the classification of the units from offices to retail in May without referring the decision to a committee. The planning report made no mention of the effect that the development could have on the viability of Broadway as a shopping street.
There are five stores on Broadway Market who have stuck with Broadway for many years contributing to the growth in popularity of the street. Their reward will be to have that success put at risk.
Between them, Sainsbury’s and Tesco have been damaging Hackney’s reputation as a home for independent stores with a current battle at Stoke Newington. Hackney granted Tesco permission for a new store in Lower Clapton despite a local campaign opposed to the development.
Sainsbury’s use a PR company that employs members of Hackney’s Labour Group to provide them with contacts to lobby for the Stokey store.
Hackney Council has a love affair with large chain stores, recently awarding a contract to a firm backed by Starbucks to provide the cafe at the CLR James Library. It is not known what the late Mr James, a lifelong socialist, would think about a memorial to him being occupied by big business.
Broadway market has five convenience stores who have invested in the local vicinity. Any further intrusion such as the proposed Sainsbury’s store in Mare street will be counter-productive to local economics.
Hackney are closing workshops and small factory/production units and places to work. This is what made Hackney a harmonious community but sadly the authority is blind to the need for such balance. The site at which Sainsbury’s proposed store is placed, was occupied by a large shoe factory.
I object to this application for a licence and all developments which replace proper jobs.
Sent to LBH 11/11/2011
Stephen Selby
I’m amazed it has taken this long for Mare Street to have a major supermarket chain, although this is only a small local store. No biggie, but I’m sure the usual suspects will use the opportunity to wage war as a way to gain publicity….