THE Ulverston Traders Association has lambasted a major retail development saying it would "detract from the vitality of the town centre" if building work goes ahead.

These words come after plans were put forward which could transform a tract of land just outside the centre of Ulverston.

Plans have been set in motion to attract retail giants Marks & Spencer and Aldi to the development, located on the A590 near Daltongate.

Ralph Spours, chairman of the UTA has said he and fellow members have serious concerns over the scheme.

He said: "They have reservations. They are flattered that M&S want to come to the lovely market town, but they feel it is in the wrong position. It is too far away from the town centre."

The site, which would include the under-construction emergency services "Blue Light Hub", would be around 500m from the town centre.

Mr Spours continued: "It would be of no benefit for the townsfolk. The people will use it but it will detract from the vitality of the town centre."

The traders have indicated that they will oppose the site's location when a formal planning application is submitted.

Mr Spours made reference to 2012, when another national supermarket made overtures to build in the town.

Sainbury's went so far as to name a site and mock-up images of a new supermarket, only for their application to be turned down by the South Lakeland District Council planning committee.

The UTA chairman stressed the group were not opposed to development in Ulverston, but that the right location was imperative.


Mr Spours said: "There are other locations in town that the developers say are unsuitable, but clearly the old brewery site would be ideal.

"They are not against Aldi and M&S coming to the town, and are flattered, but it is not the right place."

Brian Scott, director for the developer Rawdon Property Group responded, saying: "We are aware of their concerns about the Beehive drawing people away from Ulverston. But we are convinced it will have the opposite effect.

"We recently commissioned a survey to determine local shopping habits and it revealed that over half of the people in Ulverston currently do their major shopping at supermarkets in Barrow, some 10 miles away.


"It can only be a good thing for Ulverston if we can persuade a substantial proportion of those people to shop at the Beehive, which is just 500 metres from the centre of town."

Read more on the Beehive development:

Developers have put forward their vision for a retail part close to the Heart of Ulverston

The community will have its say as a consultation opens on the Beehive Park

See a timeline of how the propsed site went from farmland to a major development