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Tesco expansion 'could threaten town centre'
A major Tesco expansion in Hemel Hempstead could threaten town centre shops, according to planning experts.
Dacorum Borough Council's spacial planning team has 'serious concerns' about the impact an extension at Jarman Park would have on town centre traders.
The view has been echoed by residents since the supermarket giant announced plans to expand the store by more than 1,600 sqm.
In a report, spacial planning officers – whose expertise is the future development of the town – said: "Our concern is that if Tesco strengthen their range of comparison goods to the extent proposed by this application, then the number of people making linked trips to the town centre may fall dramatically."
Tesco plans to extend the front, side and rear of the store, creating extra sales floor and storage space, plus a new mezzanine level for a customer cafe and toilets.
Tesco corporate affairs manager Nick Gellatly said: "The Jarman Park store is busy at the best of times so product availability is a constant pressure for the store team as they face insufficient shelf space."
He added: "We have wanted to improve the Jarman Park store for our customers for some time and are therefore very excited about this planning application.
"We believe it will allow important improvements to this congested store for customers as it is currently 'overtrading', which means that it is increasingly difficult to deliver our key customer promises on clear aisles, product availability and service at the checkout."
For full news and analysis see The Gazette.
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Weather for Hemel Hempstead
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
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