I
think that by now everyone in town is aware that the dreaded well-known big food chain may
want to build one of their superstores in our town. I think that the 'for and against'
arguments are healthy and necessary, but I am also aware that the old motto 'Be Prepared'
should be taken very seriously.
Allegedly in the not too distant past, planning permission was given for some luxury flats
in Sheringham provided a number of low cost, affordable housing was built in the County.
This apparently duly happened, unfortunately, we got the high priced places in town and
Stalham got the low price properties which did not help us or our townspeople at all,
unless they want to live in Stalham and commute to their jobs in Sheringham! We should
ensure that this situation if true, does not arise again.
We should have in place, a well thought out idea of our requirements for if or when the
North Norfolk District Council agrees to any plans to build a superstore here in our town.
These plans should cover any adverse effects a superstore would have on our town and also
address other problems.
For example, a few of our town's problems are or would be:
Housing Shortage
Underage drinking
Smaller shops not being used
The current suggestion of a new Community Centre at the top of the hill, I believe would
sell the town short. Although fairly well used, the current Community Centre does not
serve the whole town, cure underage drinking or the like and would certainly not encourage
people into town.
However, if it were to be negotiated that the 'superstore' builds an Entertainment Centre
at the top of the hill and some low cost housing it could be a different story. Maybe this
would go a long way to not only deflect some of the damage which can be inflicted by
having a large food store in town, but also to help solve other town problems.
For instance, the Entertainment Centre could have; a Roller-skating Rink, Bowling Alley,
Internet Café, Crèche, etc. The |
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Roller-skating rink could serve a duel purpose, during the weekdays it could be
for those who use the present Community Centre, at weekends and by night it could be used
as a roller-rink or disco venue.
If this were the case, out-of-towners that would normally not come to Sheringham at all,
may be encouraged to drop their offspring at the centre and have a few hours in town,
childfree. They would be able to potter the smaller shops, before going to the superstore
for their main shop, thereby making up for any shortfall in small business trade and then
collect their children before going home.
Likewise, if it were open in the evenings, it would give the youth of this town somewhere
interesting to go, off the streets and away from alcohol, where they could meet up with
their mates in a nice environment. Adults too would probably come to the Centre of an
evening, for a game of bowls and then into town for a curry or bag of chips and a beer.
Overall, if a really decent Entertainment Centre were to be built, it could only be
beneficial to the town. Just think, in the summer and during the school holidays,
somewhere for tourists to take themselves on rainy days and something to keep our own
children entertained and off the streets.If the superstore were to build it in conjunction
with local (Sheringham) business people and give their share of the project to the
Sheringham Town Council and not the North Norfolk District Council, the profits would
remain in town and benefit all of us. The low cost housing would ensure that our young
have somewhere they can afford to live and it would cut down on underage drinking, which I
truly believe is made infinitely worse by the fact that the kids have nowhere to go in
town. Worth considering?
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