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Trade wars over new DIY store
TRADE wars will erupt in Cirencester when a new DIY superstore and builders merchants open at Love Lane Industrial Estate.
Planning permission was unanimously granted to demolish the abandoned Metric House and build a massive Wickes store which will supply the heavy end of DIY needs such as cement, fencing and bricks.
There will also be a City Plumbing Supplies and a Benchmarx for the plumbing, building and joinery trades.
The entire £5 million development, owned by Travis Perkins, will create around 70 new jobs in the town.
But DIY store Gardiners, based in Dyer Street, has estimated it will lose £1.36m of trade when the new development is built.
The store, which opened in 1979, already suffered huge trade losses when Tesco and Dobbies Garden Centre moved into Cirencester.
Gardiners store director Mike Carr said after the planning meeting on Wednesday: "It is true Wickes cover different ranges but there are cross-overs which would affect our business."
Ashfords Solicitors who represented Gardiners said: "Given the increasing number of vacant units in the town centre and the predicted economic outlook the loss of Gardiners would seriously put at risk the vitality and viability of the town centre."
Cirencester Chamber of Commerce objected to the application on the basis it would drive trade away from the town centre.
Member Jonathan Davies said planning policy should stop Cirencester from becoming a "clone town."
But agent for Travis Perkins Simon Hoare said the Wickes development would claw back trade.
Currently 43 percent of Cirencester customers go to Swindon, Cheltenham or Gloucester because they cannot find what they need in town.
Residents of the nearby Oaklands housing estate are furious their homes will be affected.
Resident Jaqueline Stone told Cotswold District Council's planning committee on Wednesday that the increase in traffic at the Somerford Road/Chesterton Lane junction would be dangerous.
She added: "Oaklands is set in the grounds of a listed Georgian house, carefully planned with local materials and Cotswold styling. Its amenity would be damaged if metal sheds up to 70 metres long and ten metres high are built next to people's homes."
The application was unanimously approved by CDC's planning committee with a list of 22 conditions including that the retail unit will only be used for DIY purposes.
CDC has also asked Travis Perkins for £90,000 towards improving cycle and pedestrian links to the site.
12:44pm Friday 16th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Andrew, Cirencester on 2:07pm Fri 16 May 08
Obviously Gardiners weren't so concerned about competition when they forced Electrical Discount Supplies out of business earlier this year.
Obviously Gardiners weren't so concerned about competition when they forced Electrical Discount Supplies out of business earlier this year.
Posted by: ian, ciren on 2:51pm Fri 16 May 08
Gardiners will only have themselves to blame if they fold, ever since Ive lived in Ciren (1982), they have been woefully understocked with anything I have ever tried to buy, have always been glad that I work in swindon and am able to go into a proper DIY shop on the way home.
Gardiners will only have themselves to blame if they fold, ever since Ive lived in Ciren (1982), they have been woefully understocked with anything I have ever tried to buy, have always been glad that I work in swindon and am able to go into a proper DIY shop on the way home.
Posted by: Steve, Bibury on 3:20pm Fri 16 May 08
Gardiners staff make the difference. In the last 4 years I have always found them friendly and helpful. Forget stores like Wickes, they don't know and don't care.
Gardiners staff make the difference. In the last 4 years I have always found them friendly and helpful. Forget stores like Wickes, they don't know and don't care.
Posted by: ian, ciren on 4:29pm Fri 16 May 08
[quote][bold]Steve[/bold] wrote:
Gardiners staff make the difference. In the last 4 years I have always found them friendly and helpful. Forget stores like Wickes, they don't know and don't care.[/quote] All very well, but if they havent got what you want doesnt matter how polite they are about it.
The guy in Wickes' in Swindon couldnt do enough to help me last week, and they had waht I wanted in stock!
Steve wrote:
Gardiners staff make the difference. In the last 4 years I have always found them friendly and helpful. Forget stores like Wickes, they don't know and don't care.
All very well, but if they havent got what you want doesnt matter how polite they are about it.
The guy in Wickes' in Swindon couldnt do enough to help me last week, and they had waht I wanted in stock!
Posted by: Danny, Ciren on 6:37pm Fri 16 May 08
The proposed Wickes store opening in Ciren will save us having to go to Swindon/Gloucester to purchase DIY. Gardiners dont stock what people want. Good quality products at the right price.
The proposed Wickes store opening in Ciren will save us having to go to Swindon/Gloucester to purchase DIY. Gardiners dont stock what people want. Good quality products at the right price.
Posted by: Dave, Gloucester on 7:58pm Fri 16 May 08
Always used Gardiners when I can. However trying to park is always a pain, no doubt Wickes will have free parking. Gardiners should of moved out of town years ago, or found a location where you can park without having to wait 20 mins.
Always used Gardiners when I can. However trying to park is always a pain, no doubt Wickes will have free parking. Gardiners should of moved out of town years ago, or found a location where you can park without having to wait 20 mins.
Posted by: Dave, Gloucester on 7:58pm Fri 16 May 08
Always used Gardiners when I can. However trying to park is always a pain, no doubt Wickes will have free parking. Gardiners should of moved out of town years ago, or found a location where you can park without having to wait 20 mins.
Always used Gardiners when I can. However trying to park is always a pain, no doubt Wickes will have free parking. Gardiners should of moved out of town years ago, or found a location where you can park without having to wait 20 mins.
Posted by: Andrew, Cirencester on 5:29pm Sat 17 May 08
I've been amazed for years that they are still in business myself.
I've been amazed for years that they are still in business myself.
Posted by: Danielle, Cirencester on 11:25am Mon 19 May 08
[italic][bold]Gardiners never have what you want, if they do its always over priced!! it would be great having a wickes in cirencester! would save alot of travelling!!![/bold][/italic]
Gardiners never have what you want, if they do its always over priced!! it would be great having a wickes in cirencester! would save alot of travelling!!! Posted by: A Different Andrew, Cirencester on 3:51pm Tue 20 May 08
If there's one thing that will mean success for Wickes, it'll be the car parking.
If there's one thing that will mean success for Wickes, it'll be the car parking.
Posted by: john cruddas, Ciren on 10:32pm Thu 22 May 08
[quote][bold]ian[/bold] wrote:
Gardiners will only have themselves to blame if they fold, ever since Ive lived in Ciren (1982), they have been woefully understocked with anything I have ever tried to buy, have always been glad that I work in swindon and am able to go into a proper DIY shop on the way home.[/quote] [bold]Ian wrote[/bold]
Gardiners will only have themselves to blame if they fold, ever since Ive lived in Ciren (1982), they have been woefully understocked with anything I have ever tried to buy.
[bold]Andrew wrote:[/bold]
Obviously Gardiners weren't so concerned about competition when they forced Electrical Discount Supplies out of business earlier this year.
I agree with the two comments above but would liketo add we lost Fads,Gillmans and two other hardware shops in Cricklade Street. Did Gardiners care then no it was called
"competition".
Oaklands has always backed on the Love Lane Industrial Est it was there when they bought the houses.
Surely the majority of traffic will use Midland Road coming up from the Fire Station not Somerford Road unless they get lost, need I say more.
ian wrote:
Gardiners will only have themselves to blame if they fold, ever since Ive lived in Ciren (1982), they have been woefully understocked with anything I have ever tried to buy, have always been glad that I work in swindon and am able to go into a proper DIY shop on the way home.
Ian wrote
Gardiners will only have themselves to blame if they fold, ever since Ive lived in Ciren (1982), they have been woefully understocked with anything I have ever tried to buy.
Andrew wrote:
Obviously Gardiners weren't so concerned about competition when they forced Electrical Discount Supplies out of business earlier this year.
I agree with the two comments above but would liketo add we lost Fads,Gillmans and two other hardware shops in Cricklade Street. Did Gardiners care then no it was called
"competition".
Oaklands has always backed on the Love Lane Industrial Est it was there when they bought the houses.
Surely the majority of traffic will use Midland Road coming up from the Fire Station not Somerford Road unless they get lost, need I say more.
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