Around 100 people turned out in Golcar to discuss proposals to turn a popular pub, the Rising Sun, into a Tesco Express creating around 20 jobs.
Passions ran high at the meeting at the Scout Hut with Simon Stead, a 45-year-old Sun regular, telling Tesco representative, Mark Thomas: “Go away! It’s not wanted.”
And one resident who called for a show of hands to see who wanted the Tesco to go ahead found no takers. However, the Examiner reported earlier this year that Clr Andrew Marchington had carried out a survey of residents which showed a much more balanced picture.
Enterprise Inns own the historic community pub and thanks to a planning law introduced in England and Wales in 1995 Tesco will not require planning permission for its change of use.
However, the supermarket giant have made a formal planning application requesting a 150sqm extension to the side and rear of the Grade II listed building, with most of the internal walls stripped out to open up the building, with office and staff areas on the first floor.
In their application Tesco state: “The application site is in an existing commercial use located in a sustainable and accessible location.
“The original character of a weavers’ cottage has been all but lost, save for the impressive mullioned windows to the front and rear of the premises.
“The proposed extension, and resulting building will ensure the long term viability of the premises and in doing so create local employment opportunities.”
Jeremy Cuss, a former Kirklees councillor, told the meeting on Tuesday night, that if the application was approved the construction work ought to be carried out using original materials while other residents expressed concerns over highway safety and potential traffic congestion.
Mark Evans, 44, of Clay Well, Golcar, said: “Crazy doesn’t even begin to describe what’s happening here.
“We have two perfectly good, recently renovated local Co-op stores. We don’t need a Tesco as well in such a little village.
“We came here 12 years ago because it’s a lovely community. There’s a proper butchers and a bakers for example. Having a Tesco would be detrimental to that spirit.”
Julian Thorpe, a 44-year-old sales rep of Leymoor Road, said: “I have lived in Golcar for 15 years and I am not in favour of the Tesco proposal. We don’t need another supermarket in such a small village.”
After the meeting in the Rising Sun, Mr Stead said: “This is somewhere I come after work to meet my mates and have a chat.
“It’s somewhere to chill out and if this pub becomes a Tesco that is the end of that. Tesco are going to take away from me and others something very precious.”
Mr Thomas said: “We are grateful to residents for taking the time to come and talk to us regarding the proposals.
“As far as the planning application is concerned we are really keen to hear what the whole community has to say and we will listen to what is said. We will provide an update in due course.”
