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We don't want amusement arcade or a cut-price shop on Woolies site

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Published Date: 05 January 2009
Top Northampton councillors have said they would not like to see the town's former Woolworths store turned into an amusement arcade or a cut-price shop.
The leader of Northampton Borough Council, Councillor Tony Woods (Lib Dem, St Davids) said the prime town centre location of the Abington Street store, which closed on Saturday, could be an ideal target for companies such as Tesco.

He said: "It's a very important shop. I would have thought it could be attractive for a Tesco Extra or something like that.

"I would oppose an amusement arcade. I think there are enough arcades in town and I don't think it's a use of that shop unit that would bring life and benefit to the town.

"We need things that are going to make Abington Street lively and not kill it."

He added: "It might be too big to fill quickly; retail is going through a really tough time at the moment."

The leader of the opposition at the Guildhall, Councillor Tim Hadland (Con, Weston) added: "I would like to think it could be a quality store that would attract people to Northampton, like one of the quality chains, not a down-market one."

The Woolworths store had been due to close on Friday along with 200 of the chain's 800 branches. However, the decision was taken to suspend the closures for 24-hours to sell as much of the company's remaining stock as possible.

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  • Last Updated: 05 January 2009 8:53 AM
  • Source: Northampton Chron & Echo
  • Location: Northampton
 
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Whaddon,

05/01/2009 11:40:36
Yeah I dont think any of us want another 'arcade' or '£shop' but just remember who gave these premises change of use etc to allow these prime positions to change to banks, arcades etc.. As ever - it's out of our hands. Good luck to all the staff at Woolies in finding future employment.
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Rob@Home,

Northampton 05/01/2009 12:25:32
Ladymuck, you are wrong & right at the same time - the owners can choose what ever tennants they want but if the council do not give change of use permission from retail shop to gambling permises then a arcade can not open up.

If you look through the files at the council you will see that Agora amusments tried to get the old Going Places shop and change that to an anusment arcade - it didnt become one as the conucil said no. And before Thorntons moved in to what was the butchers on the corner of Fish Street Agora tried to get change of use permission to extend their current amusments but again the councillors declined their application.
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In It For The Money,

Northampton 05/01/2009 12:40:46
"It's a very important shop. I would have thought it could be attractive for a Tesco Extra or something like that."

What foresight! Brilliant!

Watch the people flock into town.... to buy their groceries.

I despair at the 'vision'.
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mojo,

northampton 05/01/2009 15:22:05
An Ikea would be good, no I am joking honest!
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jess8,

Northampton 05/01/2009 15:44:28
That space would be great for a big chain shop, but what else can we have? Northampton already has a big M&S, BHS, WH Smith, Beatties (John Lewis) and Boots. H&M and New Look are both huge aswell.

Of course, my personal preference would be for TopShop to move into the space...but that's just me dreaming!
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Northants Ex Pat,

Somewhere really middle class 05/01/2009 16:24:30
Woolies was only one notch up on the class-o-meter than Brierleys.

As for the headline, Woolworths was a cut price shop anyway, so what the hell would the difference be if an "Ecton Brook Emporium" did open up?
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West.43,

05/01/2009 18:07:50
Further proof that the council don't seem to care about local businesses = support of a tesco store which would take away the business of the small newsagents and convenience stores along abington street and the surrounding area, which are probably struggling to make ends meet in the years of the 'credit crunch'
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S M,

05/01/2009 19:03:23
How about a gaint lapdancing club? Only joking !

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Cotton,

npton 05/01/2009 20:31:23
northampton borough/county council complaints office!!


its needs to be that big LOL
10

johng36,

nton 05/01/2009 20:35:05
how about a giant job centre plus office ????
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