Supermarkets fight for shopping sites

Audlem villagers can do most of their shopping in the village, saving on petrol, supporting local services and enjoying a friendly chat with friends and neighbours.

But they also look likely to get even more out-of-village shopping options as supermarkets queue up to build new stores in neighbouring towns.

Proposals to build a new supermarket went on show in Market Drayton this week as a planning decision is imminent on a new Sainsbury's superstore for the town.

Danebank Developments claims to have three supermarkets interested in proposals to develop land off Greenfields Lane for a store, petrol station and 100 homes.

The town council opposes the scheme while it waits for the outcome on a separate application for a 30,000 sq ft Sainsbury's at the old Vicon Works off the A53 along with a recycling centre and 250-space car park.

Sainsbury's recently opened a new supermarket in Whitchurch to rival the local Tesco store and, with Sainsbury's and Morrisons in Nantwich, as well as a Morrisons already in Market Drayton, Audlem shoppers could soon choose from seven supermarkets within a ten mile radius.

Given the wealth of shops in Audlem there is no reason not to do the weekly shop here in the village and more shopping locally should encourage even more choice.

Audlem now has more shops and cafes than it has for many years with more set to open in the near future, with free parking and added bonus, and all the more remarkable for being at a time of general economic gloom.

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