Click and collect - Neighbourhood Retailer

Tesco loses legal challenge over Asda’s green light for Newtownabbey superstore

Linda Stewart — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 11:01:42 +0000

Tesco has lost a legal challenge to rival Asda being granted planning permission to build a new superstore in Newtownabbey.

High Court proceedings were brought after approval was given for the supermarket and petrol station at the former Nortel site at Monkstown Industrial Estate on the Doagh Road, Newtownabbey.

The £17.5m development is expected to generate up to 250 full-time and part-time jobs.

A judge dismissed a judicial review case centred on alleged failures and flaws in how the local authority applied relevant planning policy.

Asda was granted permission to demolish the existing building on the site and replace it with a food store, eight-bay filling station, car parking and a click-and-collect facility.

During the hearing it was claimed that the council incorrectly dealt with the issue of site selection under the Strategic Planning Policy Statement for Northern Ireland.

The SPSS includes an objective to adopt a “town centres-first approach” for the location of future retailing, involving the application of a “sequential” assessment of possible other locations in the decision-making process.

According to Tesco’s case, the authority wrongly concluded that a potential alternative site at Abbey Trading Centre (ATC) on the Longwood Road was unavailable, therefore failing to investigate and consider the questions of suitability and viability.

But Mr Justice Scoffield held that it was neither irrational nor unfair for the council to deal with the case on the basis of information before it.

“The Tesco assertion at the Planning Committee meeting that the site was available was essentially a bald assertion made without evidence,” he said.

“In the present case, when the impugned decision was made, the ATC site was plainly unavailable in my view.”

The judge confirmed: “None of the applicant’s grounds of judicial review are made out and I dismiss the application for judicial review.”

Mr Justice Scoffield also described late interventions made by Tesco when the planning request was due to be considered as “an unsettling element”.

He added: “It is difficult to discern whether the timing of these objection letters was specifically designed as a spoiling tactic, although the court can quite see why the notice party (Asda) may harbour significant suspicions in that respect.”

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Redeveloped Holland and Barrett store opens in Antrim’s Castle Mall

Linda Stewart — Thu, 12 May 2022 09:33:22 +0000

Health retailer Holland and Barrett has officially opened its newly redeveloped store at Antrim’s Castle Mall.

The new 1,200 square ft formally opened on Saturday and is the chain’s only store in the town.

Five members of staff are employed in the branch and Holland and Barrett confirmed they are seeking to create another two sales associate positions which are currently advertised.

The refreshed shop includes a “specialist honey bay” and new click-and collect area.

The chain has more than 700 stores throughout the UK and is a recognisable presence on the high street across Northern Ireland.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey councillor Billy Webb said: “I was delighted to attend the opening of Holland and Barrett’s new store in Castle Mall in Antrim.

“It is another excellent example of our residents supporting our local high street businesses and I wish Holland and Barrett every success.”

Pamela Minford, centre manager at Castle Mall said: “We’re really very excited to welcome existing and new customers to the brand new store which has been designed with shoppers very much in mind.

“Holland and Barrett has a huge range of wellness products and so there really is something for everyone. The store’s team is also expanding with two new roles being advertised now.”

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Make or break month for many retailers – Retail NI

Julie Nash — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 09:18:55 +0000

April is Make or Break For Thousands of Local Businesses-Retail NI

Click and Collect has re-opened for many retailers – but the outlook is bleak, says Retail NI’s Glynn Roberts.

Ahead of Thursday’s Executive meeting, Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said “Restoring click and collect is a long overdue and welcome development. It is a step toward the wider reopening of our high streets and will provide a much-needed lifeline for many local independent retailers whose businesses are on their last legs”

“The Executive meeting on 15th April will be one of the most important ever for thousands of local small business owners. With over 1 million vaccinations, falling hospital admissions and decreasing new cases of the virus, there is absolutely no reason why the Executive cannot greenlight the safe reopening of non-essential retail, hospitality and close contact services for 26^th April.”

“Retail NI is also concerned that the Executive is not doing enough preparation for the wider reopening of our high streets. Public hand sanitisers, Covid marshals and agreed Covid compliance signage for businesses, all need to be in place ahead of reopening”

“These next few weeks will be make or break for thousands of local small businesses”

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Multiples selling all the extras while independents shut “Blatantly unfair” says Retail NI

Julie Nash — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 18:08:55 +0000

Retail NI has called upon the Executive to allow independent retailers to operate a click and collect service. Its call comes as large supermarkets continue to sell clothes, books and toys over the post-Christmas and New Year period while independent retailers remain closed.

The business group has also asked the Executive to extend the Financial Support Scheme to essential independent food retailers who can remain open but who have lost trade and footfall as a result of the majority of the businesses being closed in town and city centres.

Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said:

“It is blatantly unfair that local independent retailers who sell books, toys, clothes and homeware are unable to open nor operate a click and collect service while large supermarkets can remain open, sell these products and continue to make substantial profits”

“We have seen significant numbers of shoppers flock to these large supermarkets over the Christmas/New Year period, buying non-essential products while the Executive does not even allow local independent retailers to operate a click and collect service”

Click and Collect called for

“The Executive needs to give these local independent retailers a lifeline by immediately permitting them to operate a click and collect service. Many of these traders will not survive this third lockdown and have already lost vital trading times at the start of December and January”

“Retail NI also wants the Executive to include essential independent food retailers, who have lost trade and footfall, in the Financial Support Scheme. Many of these businesses are trying to trade in town and city centres which are virtual ghost towns, with most of their neighbouring businesses closed.

“With offices, non-essential retail and hospitality closed, custom for these businesses has decreased dramatically and will mean they have no choice but to close, further adding to the challenges of the high street”

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Executive ‘Click and Collect’ decision welcomed

Julie Nash — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 15:16:07 +0000

Retail NI and NIRC have both welcomed the Executive’s Click and Collect Decision to allow non-essential retailers to use an appointment based Click and Collect service.

Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said “Along with Chamber of Commerce colleagues we raised this issue with the deputy First Minister, and we are pleased that the Executive has responded positively”

“This is good news for many struggling retailers who face a difficult two-week circuit breaker and for consumers who are able to continue their Christmas shopping with more choice”

“Increasing numbers of independent retailers are now offering a click and collect service and we urge shoppers to make a special effort to support them in these challenging few weeks.”

Obey regulations

NIRC agreed that Click and Collect a Good Decision by Executive but warned that customers need to obey regulations.

NIRC director Aodhán Connolly said “ This is a very welcome decision from the Executive that will be a life line for many retailers who faced two weeks of not being able to do nay business in what should be their busiest time. This combined with money that is now available for businesses to go online will make a difference.

“However we need public support to make this work. Please abide by the time that you are given to collect your goods. Remember to keep your distance and wear a face covering when queuing and continue to wash your hands. We can only make this work if people are responsible and think of others. Leave extra time for your shopping and be kind to staff and fellow shoppers. This is in no way a normal Christmas but we can make it better we work together.”

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