Planning permission is being sought by supermarket giant Tesco to introduce a Timpsons pod at its store in Ryde – a whole 10 years after the idea was first touted.
It was back in 2012 that Tesco proposed the introduction of a dry cleaning pod outside the Extra store in the East Wight, next to the ATM machines. However, the Isle of Wight Council’s planning committee refused to grant permission as it would likely reduce the level of footfall in Ryde Town Centre to the detriment of its vitality and viability.
Then, in 2017, Tesco once again applied for permission to install a similar unit to the left hand side of the store, near the parent and child parking, but the application was withdrawn.
Now, some 10 years after first expressing an interest at installing a dry cleaning pod, Tesco is once again seeking permission from the local authority.
It is hoped that the Timpsons modular pod would offer dry cleaning, shoe repairs, engraving, watch repairs and key cutting – all services currently offered by independent businesses in Ryde.
Under the new plans, the pod would be installed in the car park resulting in the loss of 4 parking spaces closest to the store entrance, between the electric charging points and disabled parking. That said, the application states the overall number of spaces will somehow be increased from 573 to 596 – an additional 23 parking bays.
A consultation will end on 9th December, with a decision set to be taken by Christmas.
Another nail in the high Street
Good – not many high rated dry cleaners on the Island, they could do with one in Newport, plenty of empty shops for one to be used.
One of the empty premises being what was a dry cleaners so – if it didn’t work out then – it probably won’t now.