Is Waitrose really the ugly blight on our town people think it is? And is it helping to bring customers in to the towns shops? What do you think?

By MrBobBobly at 10:02 on 21/09/10

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Stupid idea to build right in the center of town if you ask me. It should be pulled down and restored to its original state.

By McAngry at 14:42 on 27/09/10
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As a shopper I would always prefer a Waitrose or a Sainsburys over an Asda or a Lidl. At least it gives Wimborne that "upmarket" feel, much better than a big "chav magnet" superstore!

By SailGirl at 08:01 on 28/09/10
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This supermarket is an incongruous, ugly eyesore that should never have been granted planning permission in the first place. It is totally out of keeping with the site's status as part of the Conservation Area.

Once Waitrose knew that a Town Green Application had been made, they should not have started construction. By proceeding, they acknowledge that it is entirely at their own risk, as is their employment of their staff.

Hanhams Ground is one of the vistas that define the essential nature of Wimborne, it can and should be restored.

By baxi22 at 12:10 on 30/09/10
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Fair enough, but who would own Hanham's Ground? It's already been sold to Waitrose and the seller can't be expected to buy it back, after all it was his to sell and he's probably spend a good portion of the money he received.

Would Waitrose still want to own the site if they had to knock down their building? Probably not, and they would want to sell the ground at a profit to get their money back, and not at a loss, so we could end up having an abandoned building in the center of our town for years to come, especially if the legal wrangles carry on for a considerable time.

And should the ground really be restored to its original state? Wouldn't a park be better? And if so who would be responsible for the park's up keep? Getting rid of Waitrose throws up a lot more questions than would be answered.

By McAngry at 13:11 on 30/09/10
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I think the majority of people in Wimborne are content with Waitrose. I still use the local traders as I did before Waitrose was built, as I am sure many other people do. Fresh locally produced food is a joy. No supermarket can compete as its supply chain will inevitably be longer. Waitrose, (as well as the Co-op), and unlike other supermarkets, treat their suppliers fairly, are considerate of their neighbours and the local community, are not solely profit focussed and offer a good quality range of foods, some of which which are not available in our local shops. The new open 'park' area is very pleasant to walk through, but what a shame the bridge that would have taken shoppers directly in to town was not built. The view from the existing bridge into the yard at the Centre of Crown Mead is ugly, and for strangers to the town, does not offer an obvious route to the centre. I see that Waitrose has produced a town centre plan with all local business listed - this must take people in to town to explore, eat and buy. Have the owners of Crown Mead cut off their nose to spite their face?

As to the Town Green issue, I have understood that a Town Green is a 'common open area' which may be used by local people. This has not been the case with the cricket ground, which was always private, fenced and locked, so surely there is no realistic legal case to pursue.

This was a difficult situation. As the cricket ground was to be sold, it would have been highly improbable that any buyer would aquire the land with a view to creating a public amenity, so development was inevitable. In the absence of KWTG buying the land and actually creating a town green, Waitrose has to be the best possible solution for Wimborne.

By Soobie7 at 07:15 on 02/10/10
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When will this come to an end?I can never recall the land being used as a public space and find the looming inquiry totally spurious when they say it was used for walks,picnics,games and public celebrations!At a time when public spending is under scrutiny i think KWTG should meet these unnecessary costs,because yes we the tax payer have to bear them.
Waitrose is great for the town and the staff are spending money in the town as well as the extra customers to the store.(My new customers are from this group).I do think more signage and the bridge would be a far more important issue to push for.
Most of our customers are happy with this store,and each and every time i,m in there it is very busy .So lets move on and save some time and money and let Wimborne prosper and find new ways of increasing those extra customers into our lovely town centre.

By Off The Square Hairdressing at 12:11 on 02/10/10
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I agree that if KWTG persist with pursuing a public enquire they should fund all costs themselves. To draw on public funds would be reprehensible. It's about time they realised there is no case.

By Soobie7 at 16:37 on 02/10/10
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Relax Wimborne! Better Waitrose than any other UK supermarket and it can only add footfall to the town. Good local shops will prosper from it. On the downside I think the strange access via the roundabout is confusing and feels like an accident waiting to happen. Also, given that the site has now been occupied, the store and car park feel too small. What value does the swathes of surrounding turf bring to the town?

By Cloisters at 13:02 on 10/10/10
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Is Wimborne stuck in the dark ages? Yes, of course it would be better to have green space but it doesn't, and Waitrose is a company with very fine ethics - they're the British farmers' friends, just ask one of them. Although you need a bank balance as big as Wiltshire to shop there,

By alfiebass at 17:50 on 10/10/10
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If you think Waitrose is expensive, compare not only price but quality and ethics. Then compare with local traders, who will not be put out of business as they may have been had Wimborne accepted a 'cut price' supermarket. Then compare with the big multinational supermarkets who sell at low prices but who put their own profit first and their suppliers last. There really is no such thing as cheap food; someone, somewhere ALWAYS pays. Waitrose aims to be fair to suppliers and their food is the better for it. We do not have pots of money, we choose to use our 'consumer pound' fairly where we can and to support local businesses.

By Soobie7 at 12:15 on 15/10/10
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