Big plans for Tesco in Blandford (From Bournemouth Echo)

Big plans for Tesco in Blandford

12:00pm Friday 11th June 2010 in

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Blandford’S biggest supermarket could double in size, creating 125 new jobs in the town.

Tesco bosses have announced plans to increase the size of their branch at Stour Park to more than 43,000 square feet – a similar size to the branch in Ferndown.

Tesco’s corporate affairs manager Juliette Bishop said the expansion would create new job opportunities and offer increased customer choice.

“Customers tell us that the store is very congested at peak times and does not offer the range and choice of goods found at stores further afield in Poole and Salisbury,” she said.

“To meet our customers’ expectations we need to improve the store, keeping local expenditure within Blandford and generating additional local jobs.”

The store, which opened in 1995, already employs more than 200 people, servicing a trading floor of some 23,620 square feet.

But new plans will see the shop floor space increase to 43,763 square feet, introduce a new café and create more parking.

Blandford traders’ leader Trina Horrocks said she had invited store bosses to a meeting of the town’s chamber of trade to discuss their proposals.

“Personally, I don’t think it’s necessary to create a larger Tesco. The town is already well catered for.

“I don’t see the advantage, apart from creating more jobs,” said Mrs Horrocks.

Mike Stock, who runs the fruit and vegetable shop in Greyhound Place, said: “Sometimes you welcome competition, but with supermarkets, it’s never a level playing field,” he said.

“We do have local people who come to us because they want to support their local independent shops, and hopefully they will continue to come.”

A public exhibition of plans for the new store will go on display in Blandford market next Thursday between 11am and 2pm. A further exhibition will be held at the store on Friday 18 between 2pm and 7pm.