Midsomer Norton Tesco expansion - is this what local people really think?

By MrLemon | Monday, April 18, 2011, 16:38

The Tesco store in Midsomer Norton has a big display about its proposed expansion - including quotes from local people about what they apparently think.

Midsomer Norton Tesco expansion plans
Midsomer Norton Tesco expansion plans

The entrance to the store in Old Mills has a huge display about the upcoming planning application to extend the supermarket by 22,000 sq ft.

It has pictures of lots of happy-looking people on it. And some quotes too, telling the hundreds of passing shoppers what local people make of the plans.

One guy, called Jonathan Coles, described as a "customer", said: "If there is more range then I think that's an added bonus really."

Another "customer" called Esme Clohosey is quoted as saying she wants "more opportunities to find things that I find in other Tesco stores".

And, finally, it claims that people who live in Midsomer Norton are driving to the Tesco store in Brislington, south Bristol, because it's bigger. Does anyone really do that?!

That's according to the Brislington Tesco store manager Fil Randall, apparently.

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Comments

Hayleysev, I really do agree that we should try and keep as many green spaces as possible. Once they are gone its hard to get them back, and they make Norton look so much more inviting than just cold stone buildings everywhere. I also agree that a bookstore would be nice. And Gaynagriffin, exactly bringing the community together is great! What sort of thing would you like to see in a community area? I would like more group activities, like dance classes where you can just turn up each week and its a different style, fencing clubs (used to go to one in Writhlington but it closed), and maybe even day groups for mums run by mums so that there children can socialise whilst they socialise.

By MaxineStride at 10:33 on 01/02/12
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A good comunity ares is a great idea Max, bringing us together rather than dividing us all, x

By Gaynagriffin at 20:21 on 31/01/12
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yes i think that there are too may houses being put up now soon there is not going to be any green fields left its ashame really that they always have to put houses up. it would be nice to see a cinema or a book shop in midsomer norton, there are too many take aways.

By hayleysev at 10:38 on 31/01/12
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I totally agree with Mr Bridges, the community spirit of Midsomer Norton is there...we just got to find an opportunity or another cause to bring the community together. Why can't the Palladium be restored and given a new lease of life? MSN had great success with the skate park and I'm sure the same could be done to regenerate the High Street, but it will take people getting involved.

By CarlaEGale at 17:02 on 30/01/12
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I get so frustated every time I see more houses going up - It's just turning the place into a massive satellite town for commuters. I get shocked at Xmas when people actually come out in numbers and wonder what they must do for the rest of the year!? We have no social amenities or decent jobs (ive been looking for months for something that will get me out of driving to Bristol everyday) and the few sources of local industry we did have (Welton Bibby Baron, Mardons etc) have, or are going to close to make way for more houses and/or Super Markets providing largely unskilled/poorly paid work opportunities. Look at frome - They have a theatre, cinema, thriving music and arts projects and a highstreet with independent traders as well as out of town shopping and large chain franchises, which seem to balance well overall. I'd love it if the Palladium could get redeveloped into a Bowlplex type of set up where you have a number of different leisure activities - to include music, eating, arcades etc. The problem I perceive though is that there seems to be a stigma attached to enjoying these types of activities in Norton or that because of (perceived) anti social behaviour, people would rather pay more to have a more "safe" "sophisticated" night out in Bath/Bristol. We should be looking to invest money into our own town - and people should be encouraged to use local facilities. Of course the positive exceptions to anything ive written here are the skate park development which is a triumph and something we should be really proud of, along with the community radio station, local football teams (who could do with more support) and (love them or hate them) the local pubs and bars, which I enjoy on a regular basis. Please dont stereo type them from what you read or are told - The reality is a lot better than the scare mongering those that sit behind a computer screen all weekend rather than engaging in actual social interaction. Instead of allowing the ignorant minority (who seem to get a lot of social media column inches) to colour your judgement why not come out and create the positive atmosphere we all crave!?

Just my thoughts...

J Bridges

By Jimbrewski at 11:58 on 27/01/12
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