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Tesco set to move into Cheadle site

Rob Dawson
10/ 9/2008

TESCO look set to move into Cheadle after a deal with the supermarket giant was described as ‘imminent’.

St Mary’s Church and Trust has revealed it is close to signing a deal with Tesco to develop a convenience store in Cheadle.

It is thought they could move into the former Somerfield site before Christmas.

Discussions to renovate and extend St Mary’s community rooms, above the proposed supermarket on Wilmslow Road, have also been confirmed by the church.

The Trust, who own the building, has been keen to provide the people of Cheadle with a supermarket since the Somerfield closure back in August 2006.

And after a proposed deal with Marks and Spencer fell through, Tesco stepped in to snap up the premises.

Church warden Neale Hayward-Shott said: "We have been talking to Tesco for a while and the deal has almost been done. We are hoping to sign it this week.

"It's pretty much done and the contracts are with the solicitors. Tesco have already applied to the Council to change the opening hours.

"They will be looking to move in before Christmas, subject to approval from the Council."

Mr Hayward-Shott revealed that the prospect of a Tesco store had gone down well with Cheadle residents - despite protests against a Tesco development in Poynton - and added that the church also stood to benefit from the deal.

He said: "Since we said it was Tesco moving into Cheadle we have had some very good feedback. It is also a good deal for the church. The two floors above the supermarket will be developed and the work will be paid for by Tesco.

"We are hoping to make the rooms available to the public for hire and maybe have a lounge or coffee bar.

"Hopefully it will become a hub for the community."

Cheadle and Gatley Councillor Pam King said: "I am happy that this project is going to move, because I was disappointed that the previous application failed to materialise after all the work that was put in. I am very happy that there will be a supermarket at the site because it is much-needed by the people of Cheadle."

A spokesman for Tesco said: "We have done our research and it’s a area where customers have said they would like to see a Tesco and we look forward to opening a store in Cheadle."

"We are very hopeful we can do that because it is a relatively minor application as permission already exists for a shop at that site."