TOWN traders and residents opposed to a bid by supermarket chain Sainsbury's to build a store on the outskirts of Tavistock are gearing themselves up for the public inquiry into the planning application, due to begin later this month.
The inquiry, in front of a government planning inspector, follows the unanimous rejection of Sainsbury's plans for a superstore on a greenfield site opposite Bishopsmead by West Devon Borough Council last October.
Tavistock Chamber of Commerce, in association with the Brook Campaign Group, has consistently argued against the proposals on the basis that its out of town location would cause significant harm to the vitality and viability of the town centre.
Campaigners have financed the distribution of information leaflets, to be distributed in next week's Times.
Chamber chairman and founder of the Brook Campaign Group, Nigel Eadie, said: 'We are working round the clock to get fully prepared to fight our case at the inquiry. Our campaign has never been anti-supermarket but merely pro-town centre.
'Indeed, we would welcome Sainsbury's or any other retail store if they were to move into the former Woolworth's premises for example. However, to choose a location over a mile from the town centre is just another illustration of the relentless march of the large supermarket chains on the outskirts of market towns that all too often suck the life out of traditional town centres like ours.
'It is not going to be easy for us to lock horns with a large corporate business like Sainsbury's, but we are going to fight for the survival of our unique town and be a voice for all the small independent traders we have.
'It's very much a David and Goliath situation but I'd like to thank everyone who has dug deep, in these very hard financial times, for their generous support.'
There were 364 letters of objection to the Sainsbury's plan when it was considered by the borough council last year. Sainsbury's proposal is to build a 4,873 square metre superstore with a planned turnover of £23.5-million per annum. It will also provide 17 business units, an office block and a petrol station on the 3.8-hectare Brook site.
Stephen Gill, an independent planning consultant and former planning chief at the borough council, is representing the chamber and the Brook Campaign Group and will give evidence on their behalf at the public inquiry.
Mr Gill said: 'We feel we have a very strong and robust case and have worked hard in recent months undertaking various surveys and gathering evidence. Sainsbury's originally claimed that they would merely draw back customers to the town who were currently carrying out shopping trips to places like Tesco at Roborough and Launceston.
'However, by more detailed analysis of their calculations, they only expect 30% of customers to come from this source — the remainder being diverted from existing Tavistock stores.
'Another important factor is the dramatic impact this is likely to have on non-food independent stores.
'Sainsbury's intend to sell a wide range of non-food goods and estimate they will draw 25% of non-food trade from existing town centre outlets. This represents a huge impact for our valued independent stores.
'On top of this, of course, is the direct impact on town centre food stores such as Crebers.'
The public inquiry will be held at the Bedford Hotel starting at 10am on Tuesday April 21. It is expect to last for five to seven days — members of the public are welcome to attend.