Reporter Lesley Tate gets detailed reaction from traders to

contentious plans for a Sainsbury's in Otley

TRADERS have shown their enthusiastic support for Sainsbury's plans to build in Otley.

Last week, around three quarters voted in support of the supermarket chain's plan to build a 20,000 sq foot store - despite the fears of some that it would spell disaster for many town centre shops.

The meeting of the town's traders and business people, called by the Otley Chamber of Trade, heard Sainsbury's representatives argue that the store would benefit the town.

In Bondgate, where the store will be built, if planning permission is given, traders say it is just what the area needs - although concerns have been raised about its siting.

David Cartwright, of digital camera shop CCD Images, said a Sainsbury's store would breathe new life into Bondgate.

"Bondgate is like a ghost town, with a major development like this, it will bring people into the town."

Mr Cartwright, who opened his Bondgate shop 18 months ago, said it was difficult to get people to visit his end of town.

And he added that the town was struggling and that Sainsbury's could be a welcome boost.

"I think Otley is dying on its knees. There is plenty of money in Otley, but most of it is not spent in Otley. We need some sort of upmarket supermarket in the town to attract people here.

"It seems such a shame that Otley is an established trading centre but people are prepared to drive on a 20 mile round trip to do their shopping."

Mandy Thackray, of the Old Pork Shop, in Bondgate, said: "I think it will be good for the town, and I think the majority of people on Bondgate are for it.

"A lot of people don't know we're here, there is nothing to draw them here, but if Sainsbury's opens, it'll open up this end of town."

Sainsbury's has said it will offer free car parking for two hours - so people can shop at the store and then visit other shops in the town.

Some say it should be extended to three or even four hours, but agree that it will relieve parking problems.

Ms Thackray added traders in Guiseley had been concerned about the arrival of Morrisons - which built a store in the town centre.

"Guiseley used to be a ghost town, but now they've got Morrisons, it is a really bustling town. I think there is room for us all."

Her father, David Brown, added: "Something needs to happen to the site, it's very untidy at the moment.

"We're out on a limb here. There's been a butchers here for 125 years, but still people say to me they never knew we were here. Sainsbury's won't bother me, I can stand my corner."

The store, which will be about the same size as Safeways, Westgate, will have 270 car parking spaces and expects to have between six to ten deliveries a day, including large, articulated lorries and small delivery vans.

But residents of Queens Terrace and others are concerned that the traffic generated will be more.

Trevor Wallis, landlord of The Bowling Green, Bondgate, said he was against Sainsbury's because of the traffic and because he believed there was no need for another supermarket in the town.

"They can't cope with the amount of traffic they've got now. They need to widen Bondgate, but they can't do that.

"We've already got two supermarkets and I don't think we need a third one. People aren't going to beat their way up here, park in Sainsbury's and then shop in the town."

Mr Wallis added: "I don't want to lose the fire station and the college. "

Kevin Smith, of Ted Smith's Beds, Bondgate, said: "I'm completely in favour of Sainsbury's, it will re-vitalise Otley and hopefully it will bring people to this end of town.

"When Argos moved into town, people said it would damage trade, but it has improved trade."

Matthew Lee, owner of Wok Away, Station Road, said he believed a Sainsbury's in the town would encourage other big names to move in.

"Property prices will soar and hopefully shops like Marks and Spencer will come in.

"Apart from Friday and Saturday, Otley is like a ghost town and something significant like Sainsburys can only bring more people in. This town has a lot going for it, but the council doesn't seem to want to do anything about it. I live in Baildon, I wouldn't shop in Safeways unless I was really desperate, but I would shop in Sainsbury's."

Former Bradford Council architect, Peter Kelley, of Bondgate Pottery, said he believed nothing had changed from Sainsbury's original application two years ago.

"The truth is councillors are now proposing to accept a scheme with most of the previously opposed problems unsolved."

But he believed the site was ideal for a supermarket, but not as currently proposed.

Mr Kelley believes that the store would be better sited towards Gay Lane on the tannery site which would remove the need to replace buildings on the site.

"As a former architect with 40 years experience, I do not believe it is beyond the powers of Leeds City architects and planners to co-operate with Sainsbury's to come up with a compromise scheme," he said.

He suggested the demolition of the old tannery in Gay Lane would mean the supermarket could be built further towards Gay Lane, with service access onto Gay Lane.

The college building and the fire station would not have to be demolished and alternative accommodation found.

"The old tannery could be demolished, it is empty and an eyesore, and the materials used to create an environmentally improved site approach."

The Kwik Fit building, which Mr Kelley describes as an 'eye sore' could be demolished to make way for pedestrian access to the store.

"Not only is Kwik Fit dominant now, but should the proposed scheme go ahead, the whole Bondgate frontage will be dominated by a wholly inappropriate building. A lower, less dominant building could be incorporated into the development to provide an alternative site off Station Road," he said.

"Having talked to Sub Officer Newall, the present fire station is central and any re-siting would have serious consequences to the emergency service to the town and district roads. The Bondgate frontage would remain friendly and appropriate to a town centre rather than an empty view of a large car park and distant store frontage."