Award winning West Wales brewer Evan-Evans has joined forces with a group of Llandeilo residents to campaign against the planned Sainsbury’s superstore development on the outskirts of the town.
The proposed superstore is currently being considered by Carmarthenshire County Council.
The Chief Executive of Evan-Evans brewery, Simon Buckley, said: ‘This superstore will destroy our wonderful market town.
“The store will be four times bigger than all the retail stores in Llandeilo combined together.
“There will be a massive increase in the number of cars and delivery vehicles coming through Llandeilo, and for many small food retailers in Llandeilo it will be the beginning of the end.
“Is that what we want for our lovely and historic market town of Llandeilo?
“Sainsbury have lulled the town’s people into believing that they will bring a cheaper food and fuel to the town.
“But, hang on, we are in a rural agricultural area, where many of the shops use local suppliers!
“In addition, the new store will be creating approximately four acres of hard surfaces which will increase the flooding risk downstream, just by our award-winning brewery.
“This development is being supported by the council and, as such, many people feel that it’s a done deal.
“It’s not.
“And the very fact that the proposal falls within a different planning designation must mean that the council has to reject the planning application.
“On the basis of need, the Retail Impact Study does not demonstrate a need for this massive store.
“Sainsbury’s will not confirm the number of jobs that will be created or the long-term revenue benefit in wages for the local community.
“We need long-term jobs for the area, based on manufacturing and skill creation.
“The planners should stick to the fact that the proposed site is designated for job creation and not retail.
“Our planners and councillors should get out there and encourage small businesses to come to this town and create a manufacturing centre of excellence.”
