Nearly a year after plans were first unveiled — and months after it was expected to open — revised plans for a new Tesco Express in Newport have been submitted to the Isle of Wight Council.
In July last year, the national supermarket chain announced plans to fill a gap on Newport High Street — taking over the former Laura Ashley store.
The Isle of Wight Council granted a licence for the store to sell alcohol and late-night food from 06:00 to midnight, 7 days a week. Following the approval of the licence, it was hoped the shop — which would be the supermarket’s sixth on the Island — would be open by Easter 2023.
With Easter now long gone, and no sign of work in the store, revised plans have been submitted to the council for the look of the store.
Previous plans were for images and advertisement vinyls in most windows but they have been cut back. More windows have been added around the back of the store, which fronts St Thomas’ Square.
The Isle of Wight Council would need to approve the plans before work could start, or the store opened.
There is still an unanswered question about the future of the neighbouring store H. Samuel, as it is proposed the supermarket will take over the jewellers unit as well. Tesco is looking to take over 35 and 36 High Street and in documents submitted to the authority called the jeweller’s unit ‘formerly used’.
The store is still open but a spokesperson for H. Samuel did not confirm the shop’s future, instead saying they were closely monitoring the situation. The question was initially asked in August and when approached again for comment this week, the spokesperson said their statement still stands.
The spokesperson said:
“Our stores remain central to our long-term growth strategy and we continue to invest in them, ensuring they are in locations where they best serve our customers, which includes the Isle of Wight, keeping in step with their demands, including the many customers who start their shopping journey online.”
If the plans are approved, the 2 stores could be joined together with internal partitions removed to create an open floor area.
You can view the plans, 22/01244/ADV, on the council’s planning register. Comments can be made until 30th June.
Tesco declined to comment on the plans.
So all the other small businesses in Newport have to change frontage at cost to make look more old fashioned ,to allegedly make town more tourists interesting. Yet Tesco’s can change their frontage to look like a store on an inner city housing estate which will only encourage more anti-social behaviour in the area and probably force other stores to close. Already lost Iceland and co-op,we got Sainsbury’s,Lidl, Morrisons and M&S and soon Aldi don’t need a Tesco , remember this Tesco will have inflated prices – not like main Tesco in Ryde.
I’m not a fan either. Can’t imagine many places in the UK would approve this so close to a Minster. Out of character with the surroundings.
I am vexed that the council preach about including local businesses and helping them thrive yet want every shop to be a supermarket chain… this is a stain in society and us, it’s people… island echo please dont allow this comment… I’m hatching up a nice lil nest egg for all the times you dont allow my comments vs those with far worse language with a clear breach of your “house rules” please keep going it only means I’m barking up the right tree. This Tesco express just falls short of that what british businesses used to stand for…
Totally the wrong place for this Express, no parking so no bulk shopping. Such a lovely old building being ruined by Tesco, if they want an Express find a space outside town centre with parking.
Why can’t they start small and see what the need is in Newport, let them alter the old Iceland Store which has closed and moved to Wakes Industrial Estate. This is going to impact on so many small shops already struggling to remain open and also as alcohol is now being sold until midnight vandalism and rubbish everywhere. Why do the Council NOT THINK before they jump?