WEST WORCESTERSHIRE MP Harriett Baldwin has been invited to meet with Tesco chiefs to discuss the company’s plans to develop a new store in Tenbury.
The MP secured the meeting after writing to new chief executive Dave Lewis asking for an update on the company’s plans to develop the old cattle market.
The company has come in for local criticism in recent months for sitting on development land but not progressing with new store construction.
Planners asked for Tesco to contribute towards the town’s community transport scheme and to build vital flood defences as conditions of the planning consent.
Harriett said: “I was recently at the launch of the Tenbury Transport Trust who are depending on the Tesco donation to secure a long term future for their service.
“I decided to write to the new chief executive and ask for a progress update and I am pleased that Tesco has agreed to meet with me.
“The decision to approve a new store was not taken lightly and the planners put requirements on the company to ensure the community benefits from the development as well as creating new jobs.
“I am told that in response to changing customer shopping habits Tesco have decided to reduce the amount of new store space they build each year. This means that they are currently reviewing timescales for the proposed store in Tenbury.”
“Nevertheless, the company wishes to be a ‘good neighbour’ in Tenbury before the store opening and I am sure that we will have a constructive discussion about the situation on the cattle market site.”