Councillors say no to Wedmore Co-op (From Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News)

Councillors say no to Wedmore Co-op

2:40pm Tuesday 5th March 2013 in News By Kirsty James

AN AGENT acting on behalf of The Co-operative supermarket has enquired about creating a store on a Wedmore car park.

Parish councillors were asked by the land agent whether they thought Wedmore Parish Council’s public car park would be a suitable place for a Co-operative store.

Rod Pring, clerk to Wedmore Parish Council, told the Weekly News: “We brought it up at a council meeting. The discussion lasted about five minutes.

“The car park is used by residents and tourists and is subject to an agreement that the land never be used to generate profit.”

He said many traders in Wedmore were firmly against the idea of having a supermarket set up shop in the village.

“Wedmore is a self-contained village,” he added. “We have two butchers, a fishmonger, a selection of clothing shops, a delicatessen and cafe and a general store. We’re proud of our locally produced high quality products.”

Wedmore Green Group, which has been campaigning against Sainsbury’s bidding to build in nearby Cheddar, will be considering the enquiry at its next meeting.

Steve Mewes, spokesman for the group, said: “We have 18 or so shops in Wedmore, of which we are very proud.

“We do not support a large supermarket coming to the village because supermarkets are generally not very supportive of local shops.”

A spokesperson for The Co-operative Food said the company is constantly on the lookout for potential new locations, but has no plans in Wedmore.