Competition row over Tesco plans for new Everton stadium

Nov 23 2007 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

TESCO could be reported to the Competition Commission over its plans to link up with Everton FC for a £400m development in Kirkby.

It comes after Development Securities, which owns much of the town centre, unveiled a rival £200m scheme to regenerate the town.

Managers at the company said their plan does not incorporate a Tesco store, and could easily go ahead without Everton’s proposed new stadium.

Chief executive Michael Marx accused the supermarket chain of “abusing” the planning process and that Tesco’s plans will kill off the town centre.

The company also claimed that Tesco had effectively blocked its plans for the town centre by buying a leasehold in the high street on a site with consent for a smaller supermarket.

Tesco bought the leasehold in Kirkby High Street in September, but Development Securities had wanted to purchase the lease.

Mr Marx said: “The whole thing seems to indicate Tesco’s relentless drive to impose their view of the world on residents of the UK.

“Tesco has acquired land that has existing food store consent seemingly to prevent a food store from being built and to ensure their existing scheme succeeds.

“That has to be a clear trans-gression of the planning process, and, given what the Competition Commission said last month, we believe Tesco has scored an own goal in the back of Everton’s net.”

Development Securities, which bought the rights to most of Kirkby town centre for £60m in April, said it wants to build a new “anchor” food store, helping revitalise shops around St Chad’s Parade.

It also wants to turn Cherryfield Drive into a bustling shopping destination with a library, health centre and possibly bars and restaurants.

A bowling alley and cinema could also be built east of the town centre, and a commercial quarter could be built in the west including a hotel and rebuilt council offices.

The company said it is “neutral” about the prospect of Everton moving to Kirkby and has left space off Valley Road for the proposed stadium should the club press ahead with its relocation plans.

The rival plan comes just a week after Everton and Tesco held a major public consultation event as they prepare to submit a formal planning application to Knowsley council.

Last night, a spokesman for Tesco said: “We’ve been working on this project for two years with Knowsley council and Everton Football Club and have developed a strong partnership. By the time Develop- ment Securities showed an interest in Kirkby earlier this year, our pro- posals were already far progressed.”

THE Development Securities public consultation takes place at 5, St Chad’s Parade, Kirkby town centre, between 10am and 6pm today and tomorrow.

davidbartlett