Supermarket giant launches latest bid for spa town trade

CONSULTATION on a major new Marks & Spencer supermarket for Harrogate, following hot on the heels of the Tesco superstore application which sparked uproar in the spa town, begins today.

The new Marks & Spencer Simply Food store, which is planned for the Nidd Vale Motors site in Leeds Road, has been hailed by developers St James Securities as “tremendous news” for the town with up to 50 jobs created.

But Brian Dunsby, chief executive of the Harrogate Chamber of Trade and Commerce whose members met with the developers last night, said concerns had been raised about the impact the extra traffic would place on the road.

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Despite the storm of controversy the Tesco superstore application has caused in Harrogate - the last postcode in mainland Britain without one - Mr Dunsby said he had not yet received any official objections from his members over the Marks and Spencer bid, although full details of the application have only just now been disclosed.

The food giant has also moved to quash fears that the store could take business away from town centre retailers and independent shops.

“The site could be a real possibility provided there is a contribution to improve the Leeds Road Hookstone Road, Leadhall Lane junction,” he said.

“With the extra traffic Marks and Spencer will be bringing in, that needs to be done.”

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The planning application for the new Simply Food store is due to be presented to Harrogate Borough Council later this year.

Paul Morris, director of St James Securities, said: “Overall, this development is tremendous news for Harrogate and we trust this exhibition and public consultation will demonstrate why.

“We would like to welcome local residents and businesses to the consultation and explain to them what the development will mean.

“We look forward to receiving everyone’s comments, which we will take on board before the planning application goes in to the council later this year.

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“We believe that this exciting development, for a leading national retail operator, will have major economic and aesthetic benefits for this important gateway site into Harrogate. It is tremendous news.

“First and foremost, the proposed development will create approximately 50 new jobs at a time of economic uncertainty.

“These will be local and new jobs, which will boost the Harrogate economy.

“Secondly, the proposed scheme will include approximately 170 new parking spaces, which will ease parking congestion in that area of Leeds Road and increase safety.

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“At the moment, cars parking outside the nearby shopping parade have to reverse into Leeds Road, which is clearly far from ideal.

“Thirdly, the existing Nidd Vale site and frontage, is not especially attractive.

“The new M&S store will be sensitively landscaped, bringing a green ambience to the area which will fit in seamlessly with the greener feel of the southern part of Leeds Road as it leaves the town centre.”

The consultation will be held at the Nidd Vale’s showrooms between 10am and 7pm today and 10am to 1pm tomorrow.

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The development of the site would see Nidd Vale Motors relocate to St James’s Business Park in Knaresborough.

Nidd Vale, which trades in Vauxhall, Mazda, SEAT and Saab, would occupy a purpose-built 20,000 sq ft car showroom at the business park.

A spokesman for Marks & Spencer said: “This will be the first Simply Food in Harrogate and it will complement our existing town centre store.

“The food store is recognised as a niche premium top-up supermarket and as such does not seek to directly compete with retailers, but rather complements their offer. It will make Leeds Road a more attractive destination.”