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Werrington: Pub campaigners at new Tesco opening
Andy and Stuart Simmonds from the under-threat Ploughman, in Werrington, with CAMRAs Katie Barrett and Dickie Bird, protest against the possible demolition of the Ploughman at the opening of the new Tesco Express store in Paston. Photo: Alan Storer/Peterborough ET
CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save an award-winning pub from demolition by a supermarket giant have taken their battle to the opening ceremony of the retailer’s newest store.
Protesters are angry that Tesco plans to knock down the Ploughman pub, in Staniland Way, Werrington, to make way for a new store as part of its multi-million redevelopment plans for the Werrington Centre,
They voiced their objections when a group of protesters turned up at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Tesco Express, in the Chadburn Centre, Paston.
However, despite the opposition - which includes a 1,800-strong petition - a Tesco spokesman said the firm remained resolute on sending in the bulldozers.
Landlord Andy Simmonds organised yesterday’s demonstration to show Tesco its campaign remains equally resolute.
He said: “We want them know our campaign is alive even though they have shelved their plans temporarily for a year.”
He stressed the demonstration was not “anti-Tesco”, but a chance to raise awareness of their pub’s plight.
He said: “We are here to ask Tesco to reconsider. We are here to work with them.”
He accused the firm of not listening to the views of the community, but remained optimistic about its campaign.
He said: “I honestly think Tesco will listen to us.”
Also showing their support yesterday morning were members of the Peterborough and District Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, which in 2011 crowned The Ploughman its Pub of the Year.
Secretary Dickie Bird praised the turnaround of the venue, the running of which was taken over by Mr Simmonds and his brother Stewart in December 2009.
He said: “It was not a particularly clever pub before they took it on.
“In the space of less than two years it became our Pub of the Year because they were encouraging the community aspect of the pub, the beer range went from zero to brilliant in such a short space of time and it now actually attracts the right sort of people.”
Among the visitors to the new Tesco Express adding their name to the petition was Councillor Sue Day, member of Peterborough City Council for the Park ward.
She said: “I’m hoping he gets to save his pub.
“Does Tesco really need to take his pub? Have they not got a big enough shop already?
“It’s a community place where a lot of the community go, and it provides a lot of goodwill. Tesco, disappointingly, don’t seem to be too bothered about the community.”
In response to the demonstration, a Tesco spokesman said: “We are keen to invest in our store at Werrington to improve the shopping environment for customers.
“Unfortunately, it is simply not possible to carry out these improvements while retaining the pub in its existing location.
“We consulted extensively on these plans prior to submitting them to the council and much of the feedback we received was positive.
“We have also met the landlord at the Ploughman to listen to his concerns and continue to work with him as we look to redevelop the centre.”
To celebrate the opening of the Paston store, Tesco representatives presented Michelle King, chairman of Little Miracles Peterborough, with a cheque for £500.
The parent-led charity supports families that have children with disabilities and additional needs in Peterborough.
Tesco Express store manager Jo Henson said: “We are delighted to be able to support Little Miracles Peterborough as they are a wonderful organisation that does great work for the local community.”
On the opening, she added: “We are pleased to have a new store in operation.
“We want to be a great part of the community.”
Do you live in the area? What do you think?
Contact our news team by email news@peterboroughtoday.co.uk, telephone 01733 588719, on Twitter - @peterboroughet or use our Have Your Say form
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Comments
There are 18 comments to this article
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Dalek Sec
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 09:33 AMThat new Tesco is rubbish. We walked down there for a few bits on Sunday - they had virtually zero veggie-friendly food and no newspapers - they hadn't had the delivery - but the local shop opposite had - so we went there instead - much better. Won't be going to Tesco again!
peace loving
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 02:17 AMSTOP THE SMOKERS STANDING AT YOUR FRONT DOORS PUT THEM IN YOUR BEER GARDEN I SMOKE SO ID HAVE TO GO THERE TO. I WOULD LOVE TO GO AND SEE SOME OF THE BANDS THERE BUT I FEEL VERY INTIMIDATED BY WHAT HNGS AROUND OUTSIDE BY THE WAY IM NOT IMPLYING THAT THEY ARE BAD PEOPLE SAME WITH YOUR SISTER PUB. PEACE TO ALL
doesitmakeadifference
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 11:11 AMWeatherspoons? Yates? they'll do for me..proper pubs without any interfering Camra dogooders in sight..bring em on...
www.peterboroughpubs.co.uk
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 10:12 AMI see Mr awd has a bit of a problem with CAMRA supporting pubs. As he says, real ale has been saved, but we do still need pubs in which to drink it. Closing pubs like the Ploughman reduces the availability. Good job we're here really otherwise we would have lost the Cherry Tree, Nag's Head in Eastrea and a host of others around the country. CAMRA is constantly lobbying the Government to get extra safeguards for pubs such as changes to the seriously biased planning system. Without us we'd be reduced to drinking in Wetherspoons, Yate's and other large chain pubs. Wake up.
rogerandrew
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 09:46 AMsupport our LOCAL businesses,pubs and shops..I buy meat from local butcher,use local newsagents and farm shops..tins and package stuff from small local shops..also buy English products..I refuse to buy imported products..support our country..
doesitmakeadifference
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 07:20 PM@AntiPC.....Tesco not the enemy?..Ha..after campaigning outside a new Tesco store..bet they are now...you lot ought to get a life and embrace the new bigger and better new Werrington supermarket and all the more custom it will bring. As a 'fellow tradesman' if your business is good enough it will flourish, if not it will die a natural death.
AntiPC
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 07:10 PMAndy. Don't want to identify myself here as it would no doubt attract uninformed comments as you are getting. Fellow tradesman not too far away is all i'll say! Keep going mate - bad reputations hang around for ages - good ones disappear all too quick - no matter what you do. Ploughman is an excellent, well run community pub, and I wish every success. Tesco aren't the enemy, but are somewhat ruthless. keep up the dialogue and who knows? See you soon old friend.
wamdue
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 05:31 PMits these little stores which seem to have tipped the balance against Tesco for many people, and its easy to see why, where before they were normally on large retail sites, these little things are anywhere and everywhere.
AndySimmo
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 05:10 PMas I one again invite you to come meet me and my customers that make up the community of Werrington and go through some of your concerns !! come when the pub is shut if you would prefer !! I would like you to see how much this pub means to the people that use it and what it has to offer the commuinty !! 01733 327696 !! ps THE PLOUGHMAN has 2 sister pubs THE DRAGON Werrington and THE QUEENS ARMS Brixham Devon and we are a Family run company !
doesitmakeadifference
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 04:28 PMforgot to say that campaigning in front of the opening of a new Tesco store is bound to do you a big favour with Tesco's...not..foot, yourself, shoot comes to mind...
doesitmakeadifference
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 04:24 PMIfs, buts and maybe's...and there lies your problem Andy..your so insecure because you haven't got a clue what is going to happen.As for what pub I drink in? mostly ones what have a nice secure future with no real rubbish..actually cant wait to see if the new pub they build, when they knock the Ploughman down, is a proper pub with a more welcoming design.
AndySimmo
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 02:53 PMTHANK Q all who is supporting us as as always !! I would just like to point out to the ever so positive community focused blabber mouth ! doesitmakeadifference that if you read the article properly a spokesman from TESCO'S says "We have also met the landlord at the Ploughman to listen to his concerns and continue to work with him as we look to redevelop the centre.â So as you can see I have had a meeting with TESCO'S and been told that I WILL BE OFFERED NEW VENUE IF ONE IS BUILT !! we would like to keep our community local as THE PLOUGHMAN not some plain out of the way building !! Please get your facts right before you spout off rubbish !! and please leave us to do our campaigning without your fact less negative comments !! I also see you have ignored my offer of meeting face to face to discuss your BIG PROBLEM WITH OUR COMMUNITY PUB !! sorry what pub did you say you drank in ????
doesitmakeadifference
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 02:21 PMHere we go again..please change the record...Andy takes the lease over in FULL knowledge of the the closure of the pub admittedly, does a good job with it, somehow finds 1800 people to sign a petition and probably because he's not being landlord of the new one keeps going on and on and on. Told you before Andy go and take on the Roundhead in Bretton if you are as good as you say you are...they definitely need you there and let the massive majority of people enjoy there shopping in peace without being harassed by you and your hangers on and Camra who obviously are getting short of business.
PottyBoroPensioner
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 01:24 PMI agree with everyone as a ex landlord that we should try to retain out traditional pubs and not let the bully supermarkets take over everything, but The land lord was aware when he took it over that it was only short term so its no good crying now and fighting against something that was always going to happen, after all he must have agreed to a short term lease no matter how the pub is running now
tomk
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 12:24 PMI bet half of those people that signed the pettition have done there weekly shop at tesco already. If people dont want it to expand.. dont use that tesco!
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