Yet another superstore - does Brighton really need it?
2 March 2007
Protestors gathered on Thursday 1st March to mark the day they hoped would never happen - a new supermarket and 190 space car park in the heart of Brighton.
Heralded as part of the ‘New England Quarter’, residents fear the development will draw more cars into an already overcrowded and government-designated area of high pollution.
Independent traders in the area are concerned at Sainsbury’s declared aim to siphon £19m trade away from London Road which lies a short walk to the east of the store.
Dr Sara Bragg, a BUDD* founder member said, “I had really hoped for better things for the station site.
"BUDD’s vision for the site was for human-scale innovative and sustainable development.
"What we’ve ended up with is just another supermarket and car park which is more Anytown, Anywhere than Brighton," Dr Bragg explained.
Cllr Keith Taylor, a Green councillor for the area and another founder of BUDD said, “Just at a time when things are looking up for London Road, we see Sainsbury’s [London Road store] and the Co Op shut their doors within weeks of each other.
"This new supermarket has nothing to do with helping local people or meeting local need – it’s all to do with increasing Sainsbury’s market share and profits.”
“Making regeneration work in the London Road will be even harder now – but I’m hoping the redevelopment of the Open Market can begin to turn things round.”
Notes to editors:
For more information please contact Geoffrey Bowden Green Party Press Officer on 07958 682 683.BUDD (Brighton Urban Design and Development) www.buddbrighton.org is a group campaigning for sustainable community-orientated developments in Brighton and Hove.
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