Waitrose on town's shopping list

8:45am Thursday 20th September 2007 in News By David Connop Price

WE WANT Waitrose - that's the message from Basingstoke's council leader after the unveiling of a major scheme that would bring a new supermarket and hundreds of homes and jobs to the town.

Councillor John Leek's comment followed Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's announcement of plans to sell an 8.3-acre triangle of land between the railway, ring road and Gresley Road near South view on the east side of the town.

Council bosses have identified a preferred bidder for the site. The favoured bidder - whose identity remains confidential - wants to build an 80-bed budget hotel, a restaurant, cafe, 448 flats, 29,601 square feet of office space and a supermarket. It is claimed the scheme would create nearly 500 jobs.

Although no particular supermarket chain is connected with the preferred bid, Cllr Leek made it clear that Waitrose - part of the John Lewis Partnership company - is on the council's shopping list and would be a welcome addition to Basingstoke.

He said: "It would be good if we could attract a major retailer such as Waitrose because it would improve the prosperity and appearance of Basingstoke.

"I understand Waitrose would like to come to Basingstoke and we would welcome them with open arms."

Referring to the Gresley Road site proposals, Cllr Leek said: "This project has all the right ingredients and we believe it would be to the benefit of the borough in terms of finaces and image."

*See Thursday's Gazette for more details on the Gresley Road site plans - and you can have your say on the plans, and whether or not you would like to see Waitrose come to Basingstoke, by leaving your comments on this story.

Comments(11)

N McNeill says...
10:13am Thu 20 Sep 07

Basingstoke really needs a quality supermarket like Waitrose. It is a pity we could get a John Lewis store in the town centre

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Tim Morgan says...
11:48am Thu 20 Sep 07

Great another supermarket. We have ASDA, Tesco, Sainsburys, Morrisons, LIDL, and now a Waitrose.

Tesco and Morrisons are closest to them.

I know Waitrose are a good supermarket, but why another?

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Pauline says...
12:45pm Thu 20 Sep 07

Yes, yes, yes it would be great to have a decent high grade (and ethical) supermarket in Basingstoke. We have far too many cheap and nasty shops in Basingstoke - bring on John Lewis too!

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michael says...
6:17pm Thu 20 Sep 07

you snob!!! whats up with tesco & asda

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Jenny says...
9:39pm Thu 20 Sep 07

I don't think it is a case of snobery, but I agree with the comments that we are getting far to many "cheap" shops in Basingstoke. There is nothing wrong with Tesco or Asda or Morrisons, but I would love to see Waitrose here and would travel to it - as it is a lot nearer than Petersfield.

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CJ says...
5:25pm Fri 21 Sep 07

It's certainly not a case of snobbery. I am a young person on a budget that has just bought a house and does not have a load of cash! there is nothing wrong with the products in ADSA, Morrisons, etc.......but there is certainly something wrong with the majority of people that shop in them! Take ASDA for instance.....who want's to go shopping hearing foul language etc.....certain supermarkets attract certain people and to go get a Waitrose would be a blessing! I say it again, I am not a snob but have standards and a good upbringing....and I am sorry but cheap shops attract those types of people!!

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Angela says...
7:15pm Fri 21 Sep 07

Great another supermarket. Before we get carried away, however should the council consider attracting industry to the town as without other jobs, no-one will have money to spend to support the supermarkets

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Valerie, says...
4:26pm Sat 22 Sep 07

The more competition the better. The quality of products at Waitrose (especially food) is far more superior than many other supermarkets. The sooner Waitrose comes to Basingstoke, the better!

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Phil says...
7:06pm Sun 23 Sep 07

Waitrose are no more ethical than the others it's just that they attract customers who are prepared to pay a little more for same goods that they could buy in the cheaper ones.
What's wrong with making space for local shops selling local produce. The chickens raised on the company's own farm Longstock are shipped over 100 miles to get to the shelves of Waitrose in Andover and Winchester (just 7 miles away)

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Bonzo says...
1:58pm Mon 24 Sep 07

I think Angelas comments are the most interesting. There's very little new industry appearing in town, in fact more and more are closing down and relocating elsewhere, (somewhere cheaper no doubt?)

A new supermarket may be good for consumers but with the punitive wages they pay it's not likely to bring wealth to the town, in fact it just takes it away!

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Partner says...
8:43pm Thu 22 Nov 07

Phil, there isn't a Waitrose in Winchester, yet. And at least Waitrose chickens aren't pumped with water and overfed like the chickens in ASDA with their bruised elbows.

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