I wish to object to the granting of planning permission for the change of use from A1 to A3 by Café Nero.
I am Town Councillor and a founder member of Transition Marlborough which looks to promote local resiliency in our community.
My detailed personal objections:
I challenge the conclusion Nero will make a positive contribution to our community, “the so called viability and vitality argument”. From Page 16 paragraph 3 of the Wiltshire Pack Officers have clearly reviewed the Nero Operation it is certainly busy with customers. It is doubtful, however, if anyone has driven to Marlborough for the sole purpose of buying a coffee from Nero.
There are, of course, locals, visitors, shoppers in the town who wish to have coffee whilst here. Because of Nero’s corporate styling and prominent central position in the high street, it is attracting customers who would otherwise have gone to another coffee outlet – many of whom are independent. Wiltshire Council recognises that money spent in independent retailers helps to keep the local economy buoyant and maintains thriving town centres.
As evidence of this a study by the New Economics Foundation shows 25% spent at independent retailer stays local, VS only 14% spent in national chain. Our local businesses are predicated on Marlborough’s unique high street, which further attracts visitors and so ensures the town is kept vibrant.
Nero IS attracting customers which is diluting trade to existing providers and will ultimately put some of them out of business come the winter months. Thus, I argue that Caffe Nero definitely detracts from the viability and vitality of Marlborough through its effect on the other 20 businesses providing food and drink. It is one thing to boost national enterprise to lift us out of recession, but what is the point of that if the arrival of Caffe Nero results in two other unique and independent cafes closing?
If you look online there are Nero applications happening everywhere! In Nantwich, an accredited Tea Guild member, and tea shop owner Beverley Ozard said with regard their Nero: “A lot of people come to Nantwich for the individual shops and I fear this is the latest step in the town losing its identity. We’re just becoming like everywhere else and it’s depressing.”
Wiltshire should recognise and support the USP of Marlborough and our other fabulous market towns and reject Nero’s arrogant and bully boy tactics over this application. Given that Caffé Nero is currently repeating this exercise in Devizes and Chippenham, the planning officers outlook is far too narrow, they and the Cllrs of this Planning committee, need to wake up and smell the coffee.
They must acknowledge the massive number of objections to this particular application and in rejecting it, stop the development of clone high streets in Wiltshire. Councillors don’t cave in because you fear the expense of a Nero appeal. Fighting and winning any appeal will be money well spent protect our unique market towns.
I hope I have shown briefly that counter to the officers recommendation that Caffe Nero will definitely detract from the viability and vitality of Marlborough through its effect on the other 20 businesses providing food and drink in the town.
Thank you
ref: New Economics Foundation “Plugging the Leaks, Making the most of every pound that enters your local economy”.