BOSSES at Sainsbury's claim Lydney has a vibrant town centre that would easily shake off the impact of an out-of-town supermarket.

According to their retail surveys much of their trade would come from disgruntled Tesco or Co-op customers, who want more choice or those who travel to big supermarkets in other towns.

But they say although existing supermarkets would see their takings drop by around £3 million, they would survive.

And despite fears small independent shops are closing down, their retail survey claims there are fewer empty stores than other similar towns – five per cent compared to 14 per cent.

At £8,000 per sqft, takings are also higher than the national average, claims the survey.

The figures are contained in a retail assessment submitted as part of the planning application for a new supermarket submitted by Robert Hitchins Ltd.

Retail experts say the planned store, which would be about two thirds the size of the one at Gloucester Quays, would not threaten the town centre and would actually stop people leaving Lydney to do their shopping elsewhere.

Original plans for retail units and a market square have been dropped so local traders are not threatened and a village green inserted into the Crump Farm plans which include a petrol station, cafe, enough parking for 400 cars and 180 new jobs.

According to consultants, people living in and around the town do less than two thirds of their convenience shopping there.

See this week's Forester for full story