CAMPAIGNERS fighting plan for a new Tesco store in Coleford will take to the streets on Friday (July 5).

Fran Challice and her 'research team' have conducted a survey following the Tesco planning inquiry.

The six-strong group will be on the streets of Coleford town centre from 10am-1pm discussing their findings.

More than 175 people filled out the survey with the help of a dedicated team and 14 shop drop-off points including 14 traders. The survey involved a major literature review of the public's opinion for the Marshes in Coleford where a Tesco supermarket is proposed and to assess the impact a larger Tesco may have in coming to Coleford to replace Tesco Express.

 

Fran said: "We conducted a semi-structured interview to assess the shopping behaviour of residents and get their opinion on using the last green space for a supermarket.

"The key findings was that Coleford has a distinct shopping character, in that two thirds chose other forms of shopping than supermarkets, eg. independent shops; market, farm shops and veg box schemes and overwhelming don't wish there to be another supermarket. Of 175 people, only 3% wanted one. 

"The district council's own research had also found this six years ago. The survey reported that the majority of people who leave Coleford to food shop, go to centres that don't have Tesco and people most often combine their trips with other activities that are unlikely to change on Tesco coming to Coleford. 

"The 'clawback' of trade notion, will be limited. However, people who shopped in the small stores admitted that their habits could be tempted to change and, based on their own habits, 80% thought that there would be a decrease in the use of local shops. 

"We found that top preferences for the Marshes site were for gardens, a Brockweir-type (eco-shop and centre) facility, tourist low-cost accommodation, non-food outlets and craft outlets. But with a significant request from traders that the focus of retail come back to the old town centre, meaning that the Marshes could be more service, trade, tourist and community based - adding diversity and range to the area. Also that local supplies were more available in Coleford. 

"There were many things corresponding with the Coleford Area Partnership 2020 vision plan and that give good feedback into any future plan, and therefore an offer has been extended to meet with the town council planning committee. 

"We support Coleford Area Partnership 2020 plan and we would give more detailed information even if that means feeding into a new plan – but this doesn't point towards a large supermarket coming to Coleford."