A GROUP objecting to the Spar and Subway in Kingsbridge are ‘calling on both South Hams District and Kingsbridge Town Councils to take action’.

They say that The Quay is the ‘latest in a line of local casualties in the ongoing degeneration of our town centre’, and ‘a once vibrant and characterful town centre and high street’ is gradually being ‘asset-stripped, defaced and desertified’, like so many others up and down the country.

A statement released by the group ‘Kingsbridge Says NO to Spar and Subway’ said: ‘Just like thousands of other town centres across the country, Kingsbridge is falling victim to an era of decline on Britain’s high streets: an era overshadowed by economic recession and structural economic problems – not just changing consumer patterns.

‘Local businesses are overburdened by high rents and business rates that are no reflection of the real economy.

‘Landlords and developers can run down local businesses or properties in the knowledge that after some years of properties being closed the Council will bend to providing planning permission.

‘We find more local businesses shut down and increasing applications geared towards reassignment, demolition or conversion; the inevitable result is that the character of Kingsbridge will become steadily more and more unrecognisable.

‘This is of benefit to developers but to the loss of the local community.’

Local business have got behind the campaign, with Simon Harrow, owner of the Crabshell Inn, saying: ‘I am saddened that an independent town such as Kingsbridge has to accommodate such multinational brands. What next? Shall we turn The Crabshell into a Weatherspoons?’

Emily Smaridge, Stark, Fore Street, said: ‘I am against the development of large corporate chains invading our local community and taking away business and customers from our local shops. There are enough chains globally for them to do well and not worry financially but only one of Alan’s Apple, The Munch Box and Mangetout. Say NO to Subway and Spar.’

Janice Gordon, Owner, Lemon Velvet Boutique, Fore Street, added: ‘My concern over this propose change to the visual look of our quintessentially characterful town is this: Is it worth it for a mass-produced, over-subscribed and tasteless product?’

Anne Marie Eldrup, The MunchyBox Cafe, Kingsbridge, said: ‘The town is losing its identity to faceless corporate identities. We already have an abundance of local independent food and grocery outlets in the immediate area.

‘There is simply no need for these kinds of shops – especially at a location which is the gateway to our small market town.’

The group’s mission statement reads: ‘We oppose the re-development of The Quay public house into a Spar and Subway retail and food outlet and call upon South Hams District Council and Kingsbridge Town Council to oppose these developments and to take action to protect The Quay public house as an Asset of Community Value.

‘We call for the property owners, leaseholders and Spar UK and Subway to drop their plans for development.’

The statement continued: ‘Without a real plan for economic regeneration and without adequate protection under local planning guidelines, our town centre is vulnerable to takeover and exploitation by the

multinational chains.

‘These chains destroy our local communities and suck out individual character and dynamism, creating an anonymous and identikit high street of branded fast-food and retail outlets interspersed with charity shops and boarded-up properties awaiting reclassification and reconversion into residential properties or more low-grade multinational chain stores and takeaways.

‘The development of The Quay is an example of this: the loss of a traditional public house at the entrance to the town and the prospect of the installation of a Spar and a Subway. Is this really progress? And is it community focused? This area is already well served by grocery stores and local, independent eateries and cafés which may now be affected.

‘The proposed franchise owner is a respected businessman, and manages other Spar and Subway outlets well on garage forecourts that are positioned on the edge of towns. However, the Quay is a Grade II listed property at the entrance to town, and we believe its historic significance and prominent situation is what makes it an unsuitable location for this business plan.

‘In the midst of this, the existing local traders continue to be hit by sky-high business rates and rents, which bear no relation to the true underlying high street economy.

‘Despite the ongoing flat-lining national economy, there are town centres in the South Hams that are able to retain their identity and maintain a thriving local economy on the high street. Totnes and Dartmouth spring to mind immediately.

‘We are calling for a town plan to retain the character of Kingsbridge and to use this to promote the local economy, in opposition to a vicious cycle of debasement and diminution of the local heritage. ‘We need the council to champion the local community and local economy and introduce local planning guidelines to protect and regenerate, including local transport and parking.’

Subway released a statement in response to the group been set up, stating: ‘Kingsbridge resident and local forecourt and convenience retailer Julian Holliss has strong family connections to the town and has many fond memories of socialising at The Quay back in its heyday.

‘He comments: “I am as sad as anyone to see The Quay’s demise as a public house, however, these are changing times and it is my intention to play a part in rejuvenating one of the town’s most prominent and recognisable buildings, which has been deteriorating for long enough.

‘“As a listed building, we are working closely with the local council and planners to ensure that all listed building planning conditions are adhered to and that the external appearance of our redevelopment is completely sympathetic to and in keeping with the heritage of the building and the town in general.

‘“Our decision to invest in the town has been based on the demand from the local community for the services we hope to provide, rather than the intention to create competition with existing traders.

‘“Our aim is to provide a valuable contribution to Kingsbridge by investing in local people through employment and trade, offering local produce within the store and giving a new life to a much loved building.”’

You can sign the petition here: http://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/kingsbridge-says-no-to-spar-and-subway or find them on Facebook: Kingsbridge Says No To Spar and Subway!, the website: www.kingsbridgesaysnotosparandsubway.co.uk or email the group: [email protected]

There is also a Kingsbridge Says Yes to Spar and Subway group on Facebook, with more than 100 members.