“No matter what your political persuasion, I think we can all agree that fairness is one of those quintessentially British values we should all cling to. It’s a value that we do not feel is being applied to Spalding town centre traders, who now find themselves outraged and dismayed, while also fearful of the future.
On March 9, The Voice, reported news of Springfields’ expansion plans. It also pointed out that Springfields is supposed to operate under restrictions that stop it competing with the town centre and pulling away trade from the heart of Spalding. Yet, ‘that policy has never been properly enforced and now there is an even more relaxed approach to it’.
In following this approach, Spalding traders feel they have been stabbed in the back. The restrictions were in place because, in the words of South Holland District Council’s own planning document, without them there would be a ‘potentially adverse impact on the vitality and viability of Spalding and other town centres.’
Has the council changed its mind about this impact or does it simply no longer care about the vitality and viability of this and the other towns in South Holland?
There’s a wider point here too. If a shopkeeper or homeowner disregarded a planning application, would they also benefit from a ‘relaxed’ approach from the council? Or is this just a privilege reserved for the rich and powerful?
If the council felt its restrictions were holding Springfields back, why did it not attempt to at least strike a deal to get some benefit for the town centre in lieu of amending this rule? We want to be able to rely on the council to go into bat on behalf of traders and create the conditions in which we can survive and thrive. Times are tough for traders, of that there is no doubt.
We need help to protect and promote our town and want a fair deal that supports the businesses that we have here, many of whom have a proud tradition of serving South Holland families for generations. Without that help and a fair playing field, we fear bleak times could be ahead.
No-one, surely, wants the town centre to struggle. We’d urge councillors to bear this in mind and act accordingly.”
By Spalding Town Retailers’ Association
