Tesco shelve Axminster extension plan
How Axminster Tesco's new two-storey car park would have looked - now the scheme has been abandoned. - Credit: Archant
Supermarket giant abandons scheme to almost double the size of its Shand Park store
Bridge too far - an artist’s impression of the £350,000 footbridge which would have linked Axminster Tesco with the town centre. - Credit: Archant
Tesco’s plans to almost double the size of its Axminster store – and add a second storey to the car park - have turned out to be pie in the sky.
After months of speculation the supermarket giant has finally conceded that the scheme will not now go ahead.
A spokeswoman for the company told The Herald: “After careful consideration, we have decided not to extend the store.
“We were pleased to improve its layout, look and feel last year and customer feedback has been really positive on the improvements.
You may also want to watch:
“We’re very pleased our new Seaton store has been equally well received and will continue to invest in our stores to make them better for our customers and colleagues.”
The controversial scheme to extend the Axminster store, which won planning consent in 2012, would have involved demolishing two houses, building a second storey to the car park and a bridge, linking the supermarket with the town centre.
Most Read
- 1 Sad passing of Seaton Bowling Club President
- 2 Honiton's new town clerk 'will try to make a difference'
- 3 'It’s amazing how much you take for granted and how much we have to be grateful for'
- 4 'Follow the spirit of the lockdown restrictions'
- 5 £40,000 to support local groups hit hard by Covid-19 crisis
- 6 Westpoint one of two news venues to be used for vaccine roll out
- 7 Runners take on 1,000km challenge in memory of Evelyn Tratt
- 8 Hospiscare charity will hold virtual recruitment fair
- 9 Road works start to enhance access to Exeter and East Devon Enterprise Zone
- 10 Riding through the lockdown restrictions
Tesco said the enlarged store would provide some 40 extra jobs and, as a condition of its planning consent, it was required to provide a £60,000 donation towards a new town bus service - which will not now be required.
* Although Tesco denied it, the opening in 2011 of their much bigger Seaton store just fibe miles away is seen by many as the main reason behind the decision not to enlarge Axminster.