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Tesco superstore plan rejected Traders claim superstore victory
(about 4 hours later)
The Planning Service has rejected an application to build the largest Tesco store on the island of Ireland. Traders in Banbridge have claimed victory in their campaign to stop the largest Tesco store on the island of Ireland being built near the town.
The retail giant had wanted to build a 130,000sq ft store at the Bridgewater Park complex near Banbridge. It is understood an application to build a 130,000sq ft store at the Bridgewater Park complex has been turned down by the Planning Service.
Local traders campaigned against the plan, claiming that it would result in the closure of dozens of small shops. Local traders had claimed it would mean the closure of dozens of small shops.
Banbridge Traders Association spokesman Joe Quail said the news would be "welcomed not just by traders but by many in the local community". A Tesco spokesperson said neither it nor the developer behind the plan had been informed of any final decision.
"We would be very surprised if the Department has chosen to inform an external organisation before the applicant or ourselves," it said.
Banbridge Traders Association spokesman Joe Quail said the rejection of the planned superstore would be "welcomed not just by traders but by many in the local community".
"If this application had been successful then our town would have been ruined with the loss of hundreds of jobs and the closure of many local independent retailers in the town centre who would have been unable to compete with such a vast store," he said."If this application had been successful then our town would have been ruined with the loss of hundreds of jobs and the closure of many local independent retailers in the town centre who would have been unable to compete with such a vast store," he said.
Glyn Roberts, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association, said it was a "victory for common sense".Glyn Roberts, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association, said it was a "victory for common sense".
"While this is a great result for our members in Banbridge, we still have a long road ahead of us," he said."While this is a great result for our members in Banbridge, we still have a long road ahead of us," he said.
"The multiples have applications pending in Crumlin, Ballyclare and Larne which could cause significant damage to independent retailers in those towns.""The multiples have applications pending in Crumlin, Ballyclare and Larne which could cause significant damage to independent retailers in those towns."