Which supermarket will it be?

A developer has now been selected by Bath and North East Somerset Council to build a new food retail store on the South Road car park site in Midsomer Norton. This news will come as no surprise and is overdue, with an announcement originally expected back in August. The question on everyone's lips, however, is which supermarket giant will it be? But whilst legalities are in process, the Council will be unable to announce who will be moving into the site, as of 2016, until next Spring.

Leading development company, Wrenbridge, are in early negotiations with an as yet unnamed supermarket operator to take a lease for the store. B&NES says the company have an excellent track record of successful developments across the country, including developing property for Focus DIY and BMW and Mini, as well as completing projects for the NHS and police.

Although unable to reveal which supermarket will be arriving in the town, subject to planning permission, Marie Percival, Senior Development Surveyor for B&NES Council, who spoke at the Chamber of Commerce meeting on Monday night about the site, said that it would be, "One of the big names," and insisted that these plans are the, "First part of a much bigger plan," which the Council hope will change Midsomer Norton for the better and increase footfall in the town. She also hinted that in an ideal world, the supermarket could attract larger retailers and investors. These aspirations go hand in hand with the plans for a Town Park and the work that has already been done in the High Street to generate a better night time atmosphere.

In order to protect existing retailers on the High Street, consideration will be given by B&NES Council to some restriction of the goods and services that could be sold at the store – however, a café has not been ruled out, which could concern some of the High Street traders. Whereas the proposed store for Sainsbury's, Westfield, would have been 55,000 sq ft, this store will be smaller, at anything up to 28,000 sq ft and will have 25% comparison goods as opposed to 37%. It is thought that there will be no pharmacy, optician, key cutting or dry cleaning services at the new store, as part of negotiations.

This planning application does leave a huge question mark over what will happen to the Welton, Bibby Baron site, as, through the National Planning Policy Framework, potential out-of-town stores will have a very difficult time trying to get planning permission. With the entire area seemingly under siege with planning applications for large amounts of housing, could this site become another on the list without any amenities or infrastructure?

Councillor Paul Crossley (Lib-Dem, Southdown), Leader of B&NES Council, said: "We are very pleased to have taken the next step towards a new supermarket for Midsomer Norton and encourage more people into town to do their shopping. Within our agreement with Wrenbridge, the Council has ensured that three hours free parking with at least the current number of spaces will be available. This venture is part of the Council's plan in partnership with the Town Council and Chamber of Commerce for the overall regeneration of the town."

The news has been welcomed by Jon Plenty, Chamber of Commerce Retail Director, who said: "This is good news for business in the town. It is essential that we work together on a plan with B&NES Council, the Town Council, the developer and the community to ensure that it is business as usual during the building phase – particularly when it comes to securing alternative parking."

Councillor Paul Myers, Ward Councillor and Mayor of Midsomer Norton, added: "Securing a developer to build a new food store within the town centre represents a tremendous vote of confidence in the future of Midsomer Norton. All the expert advice we have been given indicates that this will now open up even more opportunities to allow Midsomer Norton to achieve its full potential and attract further investment for projects like the Town Park."

Subject to planning permission being granted, work could commence in autumn 2014 and the store could become operational from early 2016. Whilst the development is taking place, it is proposed to prepare a 'business as usual' plan for the town – which will include identifying other suitable alternative parking sites for both business users and the community. Parking remained an issue at the meeting on Monday, but it was said that long term solutions are being looked at for parking for the town's employees – but again, couldn't yet be revealed.

Another concern that has been expressed by Journal readers in our letters' columns has been access by HGVs to the store. On Monday, it was suggested that these vehicles would need to travel along Silver Street – something that would need to be looked at by Highways engineers and could prove tricky without significant investment.

Councillor Michael Evans, (Conservative, Midsomer Norton North), said this week: "I am very pleased to see that B&NES has listened to our demand that at least three hours' free parking must be a condition of any development. We promised to fight to protect free parking in Midsomer Norton and we will continue to do so.

"However, this is just the start of a detailed planning process and it is absolutely essential that local residents are fully engaged and properly consulted over the proposals and designs before they are granted final approval."

So which supermarket will it be? We look forward to hearing your theories. But until the spring next year, none of us will be able to be 100% sure.