Letter: Waitrose Will Attract More Visitors – A Good Thing Too – Let’s Get On With It

Published on: 6 Aug, 2013
Updated on: 6 Aug, 2013

From Paul Bridgland

Further to the letter from Jan Todd: I Can’t Wait Forever for Waitrose.

People are always resistant to change but times are changing and we have to change with them.

The commercial aspect of Guildford, as a town, plays a vital part in it’s prosperity. If the council is set to pocket £20m from this proposal then let’s celebrate the fact and support it.

Perhaps some of that money can be spent on improving the appalling traffic system that we have and reducing parking charges to encourage more shoppers in to the town.

Let’s not forget that Waitrose will draw more people in to town to spend at other local shops. That’s not a bad thing, it’s a good thing! Guildford is a town, not a housing estate. We should embrace and encourage interest from commercial entities wishing to invest in it.

If parking is a major factor behind objections then let’s concentrate on dealing with parking, how to improve it and how to provide a lot more parking for the benefit of the town, rather just saying no.

There seems to me to be a little bit of NIMBY playing a part in all of this.

I think the Waitrose deal is great for Guildford and fully support it. I respect the views of the Guildford Vision Group but they have been duly considered and rejected. Let’s not waste any more taxpayers money and move on.

Paul Bridgland is the Director of Best of Guildford

Whether you agree or disagree don’t forget to vote in the Dragon Poll, to the right of this article.

Share This Post