PIGEON DIRECTOR SPEAKS OF ‘THEM AND US’ DIVIDE IN ALDEBURGH

A scheme to build a Tesco convenience store in Aldeburgh has created a “them and us” divide in the town, according to a director of building firm Pigeon, which has submitted plans to develop the site.

Will Stanton, of Pigeon Investment Management, said there were signs that lines of support and opposition for the development were being drawn along economic lines, and that households on a tighter budget tended to be more in favour of competition in the town.

“Some people in Aldeburgh don’t have transport, and find it difficult to use public transport to reach supermarkets elsewhere. We have had letters from disabled people who say they can only shop in the town, and young mothers who find using the local bus services difficult.

“The addition of more competition in this area will push prices down and force the existing stores to up their game,” he said.

From walking around in the town, Mr Stanton had noted the way in which opponents of the scheme were gathering signatures on a petition, and in his opinion this did not reflect the views of people in the town.

“Petitioners against the development are from places as far away as Berkhamsted, London and Strasbourg. What do they know about a busy working mum in Aldeburgh who wants to see more choice in her home town to make the family food budget go further?” he said.

“Visitors to the town can’t really be expected to understand the needs of the residents, and it is not right that they should be attempting to influence decisions about a place they don’t live in,” he said.

Plans submitted by Pigeon for five new flats and the Tesco Express store on a derelict site near to the Crossways roundabout have received more than 200 letters of support from Aldeburgh residents, as well as inquiries from more than 30 people about jobs at the new store.

For more information about the company visit www.pigeon.co.uk

Contact: Call Will Stanton on 01284 766200 or 07500 012367 or email w.stanton@pigeon.co.uk   

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