An independent trader in Beverley says he is extremely disappointed following the decision by East Riding of Yorkshire Council saying planners caved into the pressure of a looming failure.
Martin Sweetland who runs a shop in Wednesday Market, Sweetland’s of Beverley expressed his views after plans were approved to increase the number of small units located at Flemingate.
Mr. Sweetland who attended the meeting at County Hall says he has done all he can and is disappointed with the outcome. In a post on social media he wrote;
‘Extremely disappointed to report on today’s result at ERYC planning meeting at which I have again spoken regarding Flemingate. Developers usually get their way in the end and have done so today increasing the number of smaller shops from 7 to 14 and increasing their overall floor space with no plans as to individual unit size.’
‘This same application was decisively turned down only a few months ago yet today it sailed through planning committee with ease. Thank you to the 68 local independent businesses in the town centre who signed our petition of objection, but despite this and public comments being overwhelmingly against allowing these changes to their conditions, no notice has been taken of any of this.’
‘Our concern has only ever been to ensure Flemingate complements and not competes with the town by attracting new large different national brands. The planning committee has agreed with this until today but have now caved in to the pressure of looming failure on their hands and the developer’s failure to fill their units.’
‘Well we’ve done our bit, thanks to those who have supported us and I would urge everyone to keep supporting your local independent shops and all the shops in Beverley.’
Despite all this support from local independent businesses, the body who represent traders, The Beverley Chamber of Trade gave their full support to the plans saying they would ‘secure growth and expansion.’
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the start of the demise of Beverley town center typical of ERYCC say one thing and do the opposite.
Would not worry to much as the place is a white elephant. Wykeland are now getting desperate to fill the place & getting in small independents won’t bring much more foot traffic either. Bet Wilko’s turnover must be half of what it use to be at the town centre. The foot traffic is diabolically poor. Go any time and find the place virtually empty. Give it 3-4 years and see if the break out clauses kick in then see who has pulled. Would have been much better building a technology centre & office space. As regards ERCY planning department money always talks seven languages when it comes down to it. Over paid civil servants.