By Geoff Fisher The latest planning application for a Co-op supermarket has failed to address the key concerns raised by the previous application, and furthermore has been exceedingly misleading in its attempts to do so.
The applicant criticises the Spar store for not stocking fresh meat, vegetables and hot drinks, but does not mention that these are provided by independent businesses in the town or that this is a deliberate policy of Spar management so that local businesses are not damaged.
Further, this “small convenience store” will nearly double the retail area in the town, and yet the Co-op claims that somehow Reepham’s existing independent shops would “remain vital and viable”.
You might think it worthwhile asking the independents whether they agree with this analysis, because it is clear that the applicant has not done so.
Michael Pender-Cudlip, Mill Road, Reepham
Geoff Fisher