BOOSEY'S HIT BACK AT CRITICS

8:30am Wednesday 27th August 2008

Comments (1)   Have your say »

THE owner of Boosey’s Garden Centre has defended plans to build a retail complex on his land and hit back at claims that it would bring traffic chaos.

Paul Morris says the site already occupies two busy retail outlets – the garden centre and Middlewich Autos – and any increase in traffic would be relatively insignificant.

“There are two businesses attracting a significant number of people already,” he said.

“This is not a new development – it’s a redevelopment.

“People talk about it occupying a residential area, but what they need to remember is that we occupied the site long before any of the houses.

“You don’t build a house next to the railway line and then complain about the trains going past.”

The businessman, who has been at the helm of the garden centre since 1972, said if the development did not go ahead he would still have to expand his business to survive in today’s economic climate.

“If the development doesn’t take place then without a doubt I would have to expand my activities to attract more visitors,” he added.

“Would I then have to fear action being taken against me for being successful because more visitors would mean more traffic?”

Mr Morris also jumped to the defence of the planning committee after Clr Mike Parsons branded them ‘pathetic’ in last week’s Guardian.

“The planners have acted correctly,” he added.

“A huge amount of work has gone in and for people to dismiss it is rather insulting.

“I would go as far as to say that if this development did not take place and Boosey’s did not exist then traffic would still be horrendous in Middlewich – traffic is a way of life.

“If we lived in fear of traffic half of Middlewich would not have been built.

“I know I have a vested interest, but I would extend the same argument for the Jersey Way development.”

The development comprises six retail outlets and would only create an extra 39 sq m of retail space and a further 53 parking spaces.

Mr Morris added: “Middlewich needs some big high street names coming into the town and making big investments this is the perfect opportunity for that to happen.

“If we can hold shoppers in Middlewich then the remaining people trying to make a living out of retail in the town stand a better chance.”

Despite planning permission for the complex being granted Mr Morris said he is not going anywhere soon.

“At the moment it is business as usual and I’m looking forward to Christmas – the reindeers have been booked,” he added.

“I have not sold to the developers, I have an agreement but that is our business. There is no indication to me that anything is going to happen soon.”

Do you agree with Mr Morris? Let us know on our website middlewichguardian.co.uk.