Residents living yards from the new Tesco superstore in Newry have given a cautious welcome to the supermarket giant. The Democrat reported last week that groundwork for the store on the Downshire Road was underway with the shop expected to be open by May next year. The site at the former Taose yard is nestled between two residential areas and concerns were raised at early meetings between developers and residents about increased traffic flow and out-of-hours deliveries. However home owners in the Downshire Court this week told the Democrat that they were largely unconcerned about the huge development. Colm McKigney said: “I’m not so much against it but the traffic flow and increased volume of traffic are a slight concern. It is difficult enough as it is to get onto the Belfast Road sometimes so it is a bit of a concern and I would like to see a traffic survey carried out by Tesco or the developers to find our the impact of extra traffic especially at Christmas and other holidays and if they do anticipate problems some form of traffic management in terms of traffic lights or a roundabout could be looked at. But apart from that I have no problem with Tesco building a store here. Another resident who didn’t want to be named said: “I have no problem whatsoever. It doesn’t infringe on me. Also it is creating jobs at a time when Newry is crying out for employment so I think most people will welcome it.” Another resident added: “My only concern is the noise during construction but that is only for a certain period. The development does not bother me.” The Tesco Extra store will create 300 full-time and part-time jobs. The store will be twice the size of Sainsbury’s in the Quays Shopping Centre and a third larger than Tesco in Banbridge. Last week Jack Murphy the chairman of Newry City Centre Management said he was concerned that the store would have a negative impact on city centre trading, particularly small local businesses.
Newry Democrat
15th May 2012
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