Kapil Ranavaya concerned proposed Spar and Co-op will negatively impact his Lake Supermarket business

Photo: Google, DigitalGlobe

Lake Supermarket on Smithy Bridge Road

Kapil Ranavaya, who runs the Lake Supermarket on Smithy Bridge Road, is concerned about the impact two recent planning applications to open both a Spar and a Co-op will have on his business.

The planning application for the Co-operative store was validated in January, just one month after an application was validated for the demolition of The Lake Garage to erect a Spar convenience store.

Mr Ranavaya said: “I’ve been here for three years and work 110 hour weeks. I’m settled with my partner; we’ve put £50,000 into the shop and I don’t want them [other stores] to ruin my hard work.

“The proposal will have a significant negative impacts on small local business in the area, who will not be able to compete with such stores. There’s already sufficient retail facilities in the area.

“The local authority should back local business to grow and succeed; these developments will cause local small businesses to fail and close down. There is something very wrong if the council does not support local business.”

If both applications are granted, they will be located just walking distance away from the Lake Supermarket.

Mr Ranavaya added: “A lot of locals have been coming into my shop and telling me they don’t want the other stores and commenting on issues like noise, highways problems and health and safety.”

A petition set up by Mr Ranavaya has gathered 150 signatures so far, with a further 39 objections logged on the Spar planning application. 19 letters of support for the Spar at the Lake Garage have been submitted.

The petition reads: “Residents and business owners are against planning permission being granted to Spar on the grounds blow:

1. Additional traffic to an already busy local area.
2. Health and safety issues to additional pedestrians and shop users crossing Smithy Bridge Road.
3. Nuisance caused by additional youths etc. congregating outside the premises.
4. There are already two well-stocked, well-used shops in the area; there is no requirement for extra businesses of this nature.”

Some other objections raised by Mr Ranavaya’s submitted letter of objection include: no designated delivery area for service vehicles, concerns about conflict the service vehicles will create when exiting the car park, obstruction of the opposite side of the carriageway when service vehicles enter the site, no crossing facilities in place for pedestrians, additional congestion at peak times on both sides of Smithy Bridge Road, and the potential of creating public nuisance through youths gathering outside.

Have your say on the proposed demolition of the Lake Garage to a Spar here:

http://publicaccess.rochdale.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=OG2HJFNBHUI00

Have your say on the proposed change of use of The Smithy Bridge to a Co-operative here:

http://publicaccess.rochdale.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=makeComment&keyVal=OK80SUNBIBY00