Do we need more supermarkets?

Last updated: 03 June 2009

Talking about the plans for more supermarkets on Wrexham's doorstep.

your comments

Cojon
How on earth can Wrexham council refuse the application for a Sainsburys in Ruabon when they approved one for a Tesco in Cefn? The Sainsburys would have been just off the Ruabon bypass so it would not have caused any problems with traffic in the village but in the Cefn the traffic will be a nightmare because of the narrow streets that people will have to drive along to get to the supermarket. If you ask me there is something funny going on.
Wed Jun 3 14:08:43 2009

Rob, Rhosymedre
Those worried about the Tesco development at Plas Kynaston should take heart from having defeated the planned development of Sainsbury's and the office village. It proves that supermarket giants don't always get their own way. I do think though that the development of the office village would have brought more opportunities for employment...it's a tough time out there at the moment for some. Regards the Druids' new ground, why are they putting all their eggs into one basket regarding the village green? I know that the club wants to grow a little but are they in fear of alienating members of their own community? I want Druids to grow too, but this area does have other places for a small ground. Apparently there is now a bit of room where a Sainsbury's project just fell through!
Wed Jun 3 08:54:03 2009

Edward, Ruabon
I see from the Evening Leader that the development application for Sainsbury's in Ruabon has been defeated by 9 - 8 votes at the planning meeting last night. I for one feel it is a shame that job opportunities are being lost in a village that has little economic stability, something this development may have offered - we will now never know unless it goes to appeal. What I don't understand is how an application in Cefn has been passed, when the impact on the traffic conditions, village life etc is going to be far worse than it ever would have been in Ruabon's development. Well done to local councillors Joan Lowe and Barrie Price for having the common sense to vote in favour of trying to breathe new life into their village.
Tue Jun 2 13:06:03 2009

Mandy, Arbroath, Scotland
Can I just say after being born and bred in Wrexham, I can well remember Cefn and it would be a shame to spoil a green belt area with yet another Tesco. On visiting Wrexham in March I was gobsmacked to see the state of the town centre. It's such a shame as Wrexham was such a lovely town.
Thu May 21 15:07:16 2009

Ian, Cefn
I have no objections to any business that will bring jobs into the village, however, are the 200 jobs Tesco rave about all to be sourced from the village of Cefn, or will outside candidates be considered? Also, are Druids to change their name once they move up to the Rock? Nothing against Rhosymedre by any means, but Druids have always been CEFN Druids, and not Rhosymedre Druids.
Thu May 21 11:18:24 2009

J Thomas, Ruabon
I think that the proposed building of a football stadium on the Rhosymedre Rock site is an absolute disgrace. Not only is the site a fantastic "green area" where people can spend time enjoying the outdoors but it is also a site of significant historic interest to the area. Chathams Quarry, as it is known, was where the stones which built Pontcysyllte Aqueduct were sourced. The stones were transported through Rhosymedre and Cefn to 'Crane Corner' where they were lowered and carried to Trevor. I can't believe that the planning department have authorised the stadium (and its surrounding 2 metre solid wall fencing) to encroach on this fantastic historical site.
Wed May 13 10:13:50 2009

EJ
When Jackie Palmer called the public meeting a few weeks ago, she said it was to save the Green Space in Rhosymedre, not to stop Tesco coming to Cefn. If her objection was to stop Tesco why didn't she just be honest about it and not pretend that it was all about the green? In my opinion she did do all this to try to stop Tesco, in fact she contradicted herself when questioned by someone at the meeting by saying that she had no problem with Tesco, she was just trying to save the Green Space but she had already said in her opening statement, 'We are not against Cefn Druids, we want to save the heart of the village and protect green space and prevent the development on the rocks TO STOP TESCO in the centre of Cefn.'
Wed May 13 08:33:38 2009

Cojon from Cefn
Tesco is to blame for all this. They want to build a supermarket in the Cefn and they want it in the middle of the village so they are paying for Druids to move. That is why the Druids want to build the stadium at the Rocks. So Jackie Palmer is right to say No To Tesco because its them that are in the wrong. If Tesco come to the Cefn all the shops in the village and in Rhosymedre will shut and as soon as Somerfields go Tesco will put their prices up so the people will not have cheap shopping anyway. And Druids wanting to build a 3000 seat stadium is a joke. They only have crowds of about 200 people! Why should all the people living in Rhosymedre have to put up with all the noise and the floodlights and more traffic and people drinking all night in the club house? And it would be just as bad for the people living in Cae Coch...
Mon May 11 11:02:36 2009

Edwina Jones
J. Davies... by what I've heard, the reason that people are opposing the football stadium in Rhosymedre are only doing so to try to block Tesco from being built in Cefn. Because they think, if Druids can't have the field to build the Stadium, then Tesco will not be able to have the Druids property. As for the traffic, yes there will be more of it but there always has been when there is a football match on. There are pensioners living right by the Church field, their houses actually backing onto the field, also in Church Street, my mother being one of them, but this never not stopped the football matches taking place. Also, when they build the Football Stadium there will be a big car park for the footballers and their fans to park their cars. Therefore, there will probably not be as much traffic parked on the road as there is in Church Street, where it is a nuisance for the residents when they can't even park their own cars by their homes. As I said before my brother has come in from work and can't find anywhere to park, he has also been late for work because of people parking so close, so as to fit as many cars in there as possible, and blocking him in. I have spoken to a few of the people who live in that area, my friend's mother and her friends live in the sheltered accommodation that you mentioned and all the ones that I have spoken to have said that they have no problem with it. They also think Tesco coming to Cefn is a great idea, as they can't get into Wrexham to do their shopping and Somerfield is too expensive. For people to go to Tesco or Asda in Wrexham, if they don't have a car they would have to go by bus and as it has already been mentioned these shops are not easy to get to, especially for the elderly. Then to get home with their shopping they would have to get a taxi, which would cost approximately £10. To go to Cefn they can get a bus right to the door and get a taxi home with their shopping for less than £3 this is a big difference for people on a low income.
Mon May 11 08:46:22 2009

Terry Sharpe, Rhosymedre
Re: J.Davies Comments. Well, thank God for someone with a bit of sanity. Excellent posts.
Mon May 11 08:43:54 2009

J Davies, Cefn
From what I reacall, Cefn's main street died many years ago, as did Rhosymedre's long before even Somerfield's came here. I remember as a child in Rhosymedre the Co-op store that has been the Wheatsheaf workshops for years now, housing various businesses (what businesses I don't know)...good old Seymours shop with the smell of bread, dirty potatoes and chocolate mmmm. (Alberstons paper shop, Nat the chippy, Eileen the hairdresser and Ted the butchers, these shops still there glad to say but under different ownership.) I remember visiting Morris's Hardware shop in Cefn with my mum for everything householdy we needed like wellies, nails, curtain rods...even our pumps for school to name a few! Cuffins for our fashionable clothes of the day. Gracies for school uniform as they always had the required local secondary school attire there, there was also a shoe shop next to Cuffins that I remember visiting with excitement for new shoes, then there's the chemist, butchers, Kays fruit and veg, Sue's hairdressers, Derek's cycle shop, all still alive and kicking today glad to say. But when Kwik Save arrived in Rhosymedre I remember how great it was as I'd had to go weekly to the Gwersyllt Kwik Save with my parents and hated it, but then all of a sudden they didn't have to take me any more, they could leave me at home and go alone because it took so much less time to pop up the road to Rhosymedre instead! We desperately needed that supermarket closer to home because when it arrived there weren't many people with cars in this area to go outside the village for a good one visit affordable weekly shop in those days (it's not much different today with the elderly population that live in our community). The superstores like Asda and Tesco were and still are miles away out in Wrexham and were already branching out even then. I remember the free Asda bus to get there when I was about 12 years old...I'm 46 this year! (I do confess that me and my friends and many others used to go on it just to get a free ride into Wrexham to go to the swimming baths.) Of course I feel it's such a shame that Cefn and Rhosymedre shops have demised over the years because I for one loved them. I'm a big supporter of buying local produce as I'm a keen cook and believe that the local shops provide the best quality produce we can get and we don't get that from the big supermarkets, but sad to say the price fight does have an effect on people especially in hard times. Cefn and Rhosymedre are not an area of wealthy living folk (no offence to any well off peeps here, I applaud you for staying close to your roots) but we all live to our means and if we can buy cheap we will because we have no choice. I defy anyone who says different, sad but very true.
Wed May 6 10:32:02 2009

Chistine Madsen
To J Davies, that is a fair point you have made about the site of the Druids pitch, I had not thought of the noise and cars that will block the area. I was actually thinking more about wanting the Tesco built, selfish of me really. As you point out Rhosymedre has a lot of over 60s who live near by and it will shatter their peace somewhat. I wonder why the Druids can't use the site of the Monsanto pitch down the bont? I still think Somerfield is rather dear with a poor choice, the staff though are lovely and friendly. I hope if and when Tesco arrive here that the majority of their staff will be from our area.
Wed May 6 10:14:34 2009

Tim Craig, Oswestry
What I find alarming is that nobody seems to learn from the mistakes of others. I would have thought it blindingly obvious that in every location where these big supermarkets create out of town sites, the inner town/high street dies. Small independents are put out of business and the only retail outlets are taken over by building societies and chains. Clones of bland, soulless towns and Oswestry is in danger of becoming another sad clone.
Tue May 5 12:01:05 2009

J Davies, Cefn Mawr
Edwina Jones...from what I'm led to believe, it's not the building of a new Tesco supermarket in Cefn that's the problem with people here. Most people here and in Rhosymedre that I've spoken to think it's a good thing for jobs as well as having a much needed and closer competitor for Somerfield. The problem is the relocating of Cefn Druids to the field on the rocks in Rhosymedre which is happening due to Tesco building their store on the present Cefn Druids site. This is because the field on the rocks is within a stone throw away from the sheltered housing accommodation for the elderly and the flats opposite that also houses elderly people. The new football ground will not only spoil a lovely green area but also shatter the long standing peace that those residents have long had and deserve. After the unsightly quarry was filled in many years ago and grassed, the area became a lovely green space for dog walkers and people to enjoy. To turn it into a football ground will not only spoil it for them but also bring more traffic onto Rock Road and destroy the tranquility that the area has always had. I know a lot of the people who will be affected by this plan and they have nothing against the new Tesco or Cefn Druids football club, it's the relocation of the football ground that they have issues with. I for one support their reasons and sincerely hope that another site can and will be found to relocate them that won't affect other residents as well who may live in close proximity.
Tue May 5 09:27:28 2009

Christine Madsen
I have just watched Mrs Palmer on the video regarding the Druids club. May I point out to her and others that the activities she mentions (bird watching, cricket etc) can still take place up there. The field leading to Plas Madoc is ideal for games with children and for toddlers there is a lovely little playground. There is also the church field as I still think of it. As to bird watching which I love too, there is the top of Coed Richard and again the field leading to Plas Madoc. There is the area passed Llys Madoc leading up "the fields" to Cae Coch and top of Cefn. There is a lovely stretch of grass behind Cae Coch too. I have a dog and there are many many places to walk dogs in this area - we live in the countryside for heavens sake!
Tue May 5 09:23:28 2009

Nick, Webteam
Here's the BBC Wales Today film showing Bank Holiday Monday's picnic protest at 'the rocks' the site of the planned new stadium.
Tue May 5 09:22:11 2009

Terry Sharpe, Rhosymedre
Why don't the powers that be concrete Rhosymedre over completely - put a roof on it & turn it into one big supermarket? Has anyone ever stopped to think what a lovely little village Rhosymedre used to be? A community not just a profit making eyesore. If a new supermarket creates 200 jobs (and it is a very big 'if' ) they will inevitably lead to job losses in other small shops in the area, then when all the individual shops have been forced out of business by the immoral though, curiously, not illegal practices of the large supermarket chains (price fixing, undercutting etc) the consumers and the suppliers will be held to ransom by the huge, all powerful, faceless conglomerates while our village lies in ruins. Remember what happened to Leo's in Plas Madoc...it's a car park now!
Tue May 5 08:58:25 2009

Edwina Jones (Colley)
I was present at the meeting held at Rhosymedre Methodist Church to persuade residents to support a bid for Village green status at the Rocks, the later elected chairperson of the group, Ms Jackie Palmer, in her opening statement to the meeting said, the group was not against Cefn Druids, 'we want to save the heart of the village and protect green space and prevent the development on the rocks to stop Tescos in the centre of Cefn'. Later when support for Tescos coming to Cefn was put by a substantial number of people at the meeting, her opening statement was read back to her and Ms Palmer stated, "That's my opinion". Planning permission for this development has now been granted, the Welsh Assembly has raised no objections as this application fits the required criteria. The bid for Village Green status is just a ploy to sabotage the development and so stop Tescos. At the planning sites meeting, even though Cllr Moysen had written to every member of the committee to try to block this development, he was comprehensively beaten; there were only four votes against the Tesco site and none at all against the Rocks being developed for Cefn Druids, which was a unanimous vote. So who is supporting the bid for Village Green status in an attempt to derail this project and defy the democratic decision made by Wrexham's Planning Committee, a project which I believe is supported by a large majority of local people? As an unbiased observer I can see the issues quite clearly, the centre of Cefn has been struggling for years. To reverse this trend the village has been thrown a lifeline in the form of this multi-million pound investment.
Tue Apr 28 15:32:44 2009

Chistine Madsen
I live in Plas Madoc, we have a wonderful post office here and it is also a 'mini' supermarket, reasonable in price. What worries me is, will our post office shop be forced to shut? Not only is the shop convenient but a lot of the older customers go there for a chat as well as to do their shopping, those without cars shop daily there, supermarkets are so impersonal.
Mon Apr 6 10:08:47 2009

Ian, Cefn
The siting of Sainsbury's in Ruabon is a better thought out plan than that of Tesco is Cefn - even the highways dept of WCBC were opposed to the site in Cefn, but the planners agreed, so there you go. It will be the end of Somerfield. I just hope that the planners pass the Sainsburys application as well, after all, the reasons to object are far less than those of Tesco.
Thu Apr 2 08:17:49 2009

Jayne Pugh (New Zealand)
I think living out of Wrexham makes you appreciate it more. When you live in another country you soon realise what a special place Wrexham is. My family all live in the Wrexham area so therefore it makes Wrexham extra special for me! Learn to appreciate what is on your doorstep!
Thu Mar 19 08:07:21 2009

John from Cefn
A new supermarket is just what Cefn Mawr needs. For far too long Somerfield has held a monopoly in Cefn. I am looking forward to a more varied local choice.
Thu Mar 19 07:58:11 2009

Andrew, Wrexham
To David Davies - I agree with your comments about Wrexham, the new EM should never have seen the light of day, all it has done is killed off Wrexham centre, and now the stores at EM are struggling in these hard economic times, however, I have family who live in Cefn, and they are very keen for the new Tesco store to arrive - the choice for residents of Cefn is either Somerfield, which is overpriced for the poor quality of goods, or having to travel to Wrexham to visit either Tesco or Sainsburys. Once the new stores are open, then the local people will have the choice whether or not to shop at the supermarkets or continue to shop in their corner shops. At the end of the day no one is forced to visit a supermarket, it is down to individual choice.
Tue Feb 17 09:21:50 2009

Ken, Ruabon
Is it too late to stop the loss of Wynnstay Park, Ruabon? The way Wrexham has spread from Plas Coch to Eagles Meadow is a disaster that will be matched by development along the bypass from south of Ruabon towards Halton. Putting a large Mcdonalds sign on the Black Park turning was the thin edge of the wedge and a Sainsburys in Ruabon will be a hammer blow to the countryside. Then there is a foul smelling landfill site on the other side of Ruabon. Planners seem to be looking at how they can destroy the fabric of life and environment instead of learning from the mistakes of past developments. Can someone come up with a strategy for the whole of Wrexham rather than letting individual developers run loose? Do we need acres of housing without any local shops and everyone burning up petrol to collect a pint of milk and a loaf of bread? I dread to think what they will do to Erddig area and the Ruabon brickworks site!
Mon Feb 16 08:33:46 2009

David Davies, Cefn
You're on about opening a new store! I just don't believe it. Have you taken a walk through Wrexham town in the last few weeks? It's like a bomb site. Why not use the shops that are standing empty? I don't know anyone who walks down to the new £100 million development at Eagles Meadow. Everyone I know says it's too far out and far too expensive for the people of Wrexham. Times are hard right now. For goodness sake wake up and stop spending money that the town can't afford. I could think of a lot better things to spend that £100 million on.
Mon Feb 9 10:14:56 2009

Kat Davies, Wrexham
I would rather go to shop in Chester for my shopping than Tesco. At least there you get a "Good Morning" and a smile. Why build more big supermarkets like Tesco when they just don't care about people. Give me the little shops any day. Anyway what's wrong with Somerfields? They are very good, cheap and friendly.
Thu Feb 5 12:41:08 2009

Morris, Ruabon
With every new large retail outlet, Food, DIY, Carpets etc., unemployment follows. How and why any public servant can fall for "this new development will create 500 jobs" is beyond my comprehension. Small businesses have high labour cost, Super Stores have very low, by comparison. For every new post created within a retail development approx 3 are lost in the independent sector from both retail, supply and manufacture. With every more concentration of power, consumer choice is lost, be it carpet design or local / small food producers who cannot get listed, no matter how it is said by the large retailers we "buy local". Liberty PLC (who don't build business parks only retail and office buildings, look at their website) are offering all kinds of sweeteners to entice and persuade those that can make this process as painless and profitable for them to develop in Ruabon. Free nursery schools, road improvements etc., are on offer. Someone is going to pay for these facilities. This will not be Liberty or the occupiers but by the people who use them. Nothing comes for free! If a new retail park is wanted, so be it but why build on greenfield site when within walking distance lies a factory that is empty and is unlikely to be filled because of the current financial climate. The answer is what prestige and kudos is gained from redevelopment rather than some new and grandiose scheme. Wrexham area is already over supplied with retail space - see the state of Wrexham town centre, a consequence of the same council planner's actions. Do they never learn?
Mon Feb 2 09:22:06 2009

Jane Redfern Jones, Wrexham
If a new supermarket is built in Ruabon I would go there rather than try and get across town to Tesco or Asda in Wrexham, even though they are closer. I would then often go into Ruabon itself. It would be convenient for using the bank and Post Office and I would more than likely pop into the local shops.
Mon Feb 2 09:15:57 2009

Brian Stapley
Do we need more supermarkets in the Wrexham area? Well, it seem like the answer to that question is YES. We have been asking for a supermarket on the former Brymbo steelworks site for a very long time, and what are we told by the officers Wrexham County Borough Council, "we are not going to move the town centre". Well, in that case just look at what you have done, and what you are about to do; a Morrisons on Ruthin Road, and two supermarkets within two miles of each other - and not where they are needed as part of the infrastructure, on the former steelworks. So come on W.C.B.C take a positive view of this prime site, and get your finger out!
Fri Jan 30 09:34:31 2009

Ex Tesco Shopper
There are far too many big stores now and all with their own gimmicks. They no longer care about the customer as the small shops did. Only the other day I saw a disabled pensioner being told off for picking up a receipt to get a few extra points by a so called security guard, while four youths walked out of the door passed the same security guard, two of them with their coats full of goods from the store! OK so maybe the youths would have fought back and that's why they were left alone. In the small shops this never happened and pensioners had no need to try to get extra points. They were well looked after and the old shopkeepers saw to it that they never went short.
Thu Jan 29 09:12:42 2009

more from this section

more from North East Wales