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15/02/2010
Planners Provoke Forecourt War
It's to be petrol nozzles at dawn as independent retailers battle Tesco in 'forecourt wars'.
The redevelopment of Northcott Shopping Centre in Newtownabbey - by Blanca Developments was given the go-ahead through the fast-stream Planning Service's Pre-Application Discussion (PADs) system in December.
Creating up to 200 new full and part-time jobs, there will also be around 250 positions for construction workers during the building as well.
However, while the ageing Northcott Shopping Centre is to be demolished making way for the replacement Sandyknowes development, plans for a petrol filling station have proved a shock.
The forecourt was omitted from Tesco's pre-Christams Press announcement - but once the petrol pumps are operational, rivalry is likely to be a 'challenge' – and not just for competing supermarkets.
A 24-hour Maxol and Spar is 100 yards from the site of the £35m Tesco regeneration. Moyola Park - also Spar - is two minutes drive, and a third, a BP, is close too, in Glengormley 'village'.
Chair of Newtownabbey Borough Council's Planning Committee, Alderman Nigel Hamilton, welcomed the rebuilding of the decrepit Northcott - but is also aware of the likely impact.
He warned that the 'new' Tesco jobs are welcome, but a further filling station will bring additional pressure to the vulnerable forecourts, which he said, "are dropping like flies in the current economic climate".
A spokesman for the Planning Service revealing: "The redevelopment of Northcott proposed a petrol filling station of 70m x 40m," which he said is well below the criteria for an assessment of the potential retail impact.
"Policy focuses upon the retail floorspace, rather than their sales of fuel," he said, which means - no matter how many tens of thousands of gallons are pumped by Tesco - there is no need to consider long-established businesses.
"Tesco is expanding aggressively," said Paddy Doody, Sales and Marketing Director at Henderson Wholesale, Spar and Vivo wholesaler, but Tesco's second Newtownabbey forecourt was no surprise.
He said that competition is "healthy" and that the fight has been joined with major work at the 'company-owned' Spar forecourt at Glenwell Road.
Providing another boost for the local construction industry, he revealed: "We will knock-down and rebuild in an investment of almost £2m, for re-opening this September," he said.
At Glengomley's Glenabbey Service Station, licensee Robert McNeice said: "Tesco plans to develop a new store including a petrol station in close proximity is worrying and is most likely to impact on fuel trade."
Brian Donaldson, General Manager, Marketing and Retail of the Maxol Group, (pictured above with Robert McNeice) said: "We welcome competition but only on the basis of a 'level playing field'.
"Supermarkets with forecourts generate 30% to 35% more on in-store grocery sales often using fuel to entice customers into their stores. This is clearly a big attraction to customers but isn't 'fair competition'," he said.
Corporate Affairs Manager for Tesco said: "Part of this development will include a petrol filling station which customers have told us they would like," he said.
Traders' responses are bullish, but a nearby former forecourt - the old Skyline – is now derelict and bears testimony to the fate of other facilities.
See: Tesco's Northcott Plan Approved
(BMcC/GK)
The redevelopment of Northcott Shopping Centre in Newtownabbey - by Blanca Developments was given the go-ahead through the fast-stream Planning Service's Pre-Application Discussion (PADs) system in December.
Creating up to 200 new full and part-time jobs, there will also be around 250 positions for construction workers during the building as well.
However, while the ageing Northcott Shopping Centre is to be demolished making way for the replacement Sandyknowes development, plans for a petrol filling station have proved a shock.
The forecourt was omitted from Tesco's pre-Christams Press announcement - but once the petrol pumps are operational, rivalry is likely to be a 'challenge' – and not just for competing supermarkets.
A 24-hour Maxol and Spar is 100 yards from the site of the £35m Tesco regeneration. Moyola Park - also Spar - is two minutes drive, and a third, a BP, is close too, in Glengormley 'village'.
Chair of Newtownabbey Borough Council's Planning Committee, Alderman Nigel Hamilton, welcomed the rebuilding of the decrepit Northcott - but is also aware of the likely impact.
He warned that the 'new' Tesco jobs are welcome, but a further filling station will bring additional pressure to the vulnerable forecourts, which he said, "are dropping like flies in the current economic climate".
A spokesman for the Planning Service revealing: "The redevelopment of Northcott proposed a petrol filling station of 70m x 40m," which he said is well below the criteria for an assessment of the potential retail impact.
"Policy focuses upon the retail floorspace, rather than their sales of fuel," he said, which means - no matter how many tens of thousands of gallons are pumped by Tesco - there is no need to consider long-established businesses.
"Tesco is expanding aggressively," said Paddy Doody, Sales and Marketing Director at Henderson Wholesale, Spar and Vivo wholesaler, but Tesco's second Newtownabbey forecourt was no surprise.
He said that competition is "healthy" and that the fight has been joined with major work at the 'company-owned' Spar forecourt at Glenwell Road.
Providing another boost for the local construction industry, he revealed: "We will knock-down and rebuild in an investment of almost £2m, for re-opening this September," he said.
At Glengomley's Glenabbey Service Station, licensee Robert McNeice said: "Tesco plans to develop a new store including a petrol station in close proximity is worrying and is most likely to impact on fuel trade."
Brian Donaldson, General Manager, Marketing and Retail of the Maxol Group, (pictured above with Robert McNeice) said: "We welcome competition but only on the basis of a 'level playing field'.
"Supermarkets with forecourts generate 30% to 35% more on in-store grocery sales often using fuel to entice customers into their stores. This is clearly a big attraction to customers but isn't 'fair competition'," he said.
Corporate Affairs Manager for Tesco said: "Part of this development will include a petrol filling station which customers have told us they would like," he said.
Traders' responses are bullish, but a nearby former forecourt - the old Skyline – is now derelict and bears testimony to the fate of other facilities.
See: Tesco's Northcott Plan Approved
(BMcC/GK)
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05 April 2011
Tesco's Sandyknowes Centre 'Imminent'
The long awaited construction of a new Tesco superstore in Glengormley's neglected Northcott Shopping Centre has begun. Although Tesco has yet to provide details, workmen are now on site beside the dilapidated supermarket shopping centre - with the wrecker's ball to level the premises after Easter.
Tesco's Sandyknowes Centre 'Imminent'
The long awaited construction of a new Tesco superstore in Glengormley's neglected Northcott Shopping Centre has begun. Although Tesco has yet to provide details, workmen are now on site beside the dilapidated supermarket shopping centre - with the wrecker's ball to level the premises after Easter.
31 May 2011
Demolition Progresses As Sandyknowes Centre Rises
Demolition work is currently well advanced on the out-dated and dilapidated Northcott Shopping Centre in Glengormley. After weeks of uncertainty over a start date and a Tesco refusal to comment, the existing store closed at the end of April so that work could be started on the multi-million pound replacement Sandyknowes Shopping Centre.
Demolition Progresses As Sandyknowes Centre Rises
Demolition work is currently well advanced on the out-dated and dilapidated Northcott Shopping Centre in Glengormley. After weeks of uncertainty over a start date and a Tesco refusal to comment, the existing store closed at the end of April so that work could be started on the multi-million pound replacement Sandyknowes Shopping Centre.
20 April 2011
Northcott Demolition Begins At Weekend
A supermarket project in Co Antrim will secure construction jobs for around 250 people at a time when the industry is struggling. As revealed exclusively on Tesco's Sandyknowes Centre Underway work started on the brand-new Tesco Extra and petrol filling station earlier this month.
Northcott Demolition Begins At Weekend
A supermarket project in Co Antrim will secure construction jobs for around 250 people at a time when the industry is struggling. As revealed exclusively on Tesco's Sandyknowes Centre Underway work started on the brand-new Tesco Extra and petrol filling station earlier this month.
24 February 2017
Scott's Bakery Secures New Deal With Tesco GB
County Tyrone's Scott's Bakery has secured a listing with Tesco that will sees its Gluten Free cakes stocked in over 500 stores across the UK, with sales potential more than £800,000 forecasted for first year.
Scott's Bakery Secures New Deal With Tesco GB
County Tyrone's Scott's Bakery has secured a listing with Tesco that will sees its Gluten Free cakes stocked in over 500 stores across the UK, with sales potential more than £800,000 forecasted for first year.
07 June 2011
McErlain's Baking Success
A local firm, McErlain's Bakery has secured a new contract with Tesco worth almost half million pounds annually. The increase in its business with Tesco represents a significant growth for the Magherafelt-based bakery with the listing of a number of new products across Tesco in-store bakeries in Northern Ireland.
McErlain's Baking Success
A local firm, McErlain's Bakery has secured a new contract with Tesco worth almost half million pounds annually. The increase in its business with Tesco represents a significant growth for the Magherafelt-based bakery with the listing of a number of new products across Tesco in-store bakeries in Northern Ireland.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
