Kingsbridge says NO to Spar and Subway

The Quay public house in Kingsbridge, Devon is the latest in a line of local casualties in the ongoing degeneration of our town centre. A once vibrant and characterful town centre and high street is gradually being asset-stripped, defaced and desertified, like so many others up and down the country.

The proposed development of The Quay is an example of this: the loss of a traditional public house at the entrance to the town and the prospect of the installation of a Spar and a Subway. Is this really progress? And is it community focused? This area is already well served by grocery stores and local, independent eateries and cafés which may now be affected.

We say NO to these two major brands that will over-dominate the area surrounding the Quay which constitutes the heart of our small community
We say NO because we already have many grocery stores and independent cafes / eateries very close by that provide the planned services
We say NO to the design of these brands that will dramatically affect the surrounding area which consists of many historic buildings, including a serious impact to the character and appearance of the Quay itself which is a Grade 2 listed building (No. 1249247 Historic England)
We say NO to the damage and loss of trade to our independent shops and catering establishments
We say NO to the smell disturbance, obtrusive lighting and litter hazard that Spar and Subway will bring to the immediate area and centre of town
We say NO to the highway safety implications that a high turnover fast food and grocery store will bring to a one-way thoroughfare and restricted parking area around the Quay
We say YES to recognising the Quay as a community asset and a review and investigation of the planning decisions of the Quay (including the change of use A5/A4 to an A1 classification) by South Hams District Council

Please don’t stand idly by and allow this to happen – take action now to call for the protection of the town’s key community assets through clear-sighted forward planning and an intelligent regeneration strategy for Kingsbridge which builds and protects the town’s character and facilities and supports sustainable economic growth.

This can be done, but we need to take action. And it starts by making our voices heard regarding the Quay.

Thank you.