The Tesco Express store in Ratcliffe Drive, Stoke Gifford has temporarily closed today (23rd August) for a period of around six months, to allow redevelopment of the site.
According to plans approved by South Gloucestershire Council, the existing Tesco store will be increased in size by around 16% (adding 52sqm of floorspace ) and a new 106sqm retail unit will be added.
Customers of the Tesco store have been told that it is likely to re-open in the first or second week of February 2016.
An earlier planning application that would have also incorporated five residential flats (on a second storey) was withdrawn after officers advised that the lack of additional parking provision for the residential element was not compliant with the council’s updated parking policy.
A Tesco spokesperson said:
“We can confirm that our Stoke Gifford Express store is being temporarily closed for a few months to enable redevelopment work that will substantially improve our offer for customers. This includes creating more parking spaces, introducing a ‘Click & Collect’ facility and a new ATM.”
“All affected colleagues have been consulted on the changes and provided with temporary roles in other stores. Customers will continue to be able to shop at our nearby stores but we apologise for any short-term disruption this may cause.”
“We look forward to bringing forward an even better offer for our customers soon.”
It is not known which business will occupy the additional retail unit once it is completed.
Discharge of condition 3 (Delivery Management Plan): http://bit.ly/1UARQwW
Associated planning applications:
PT15/4324/F | Installation of 8 no. bollards to the front and side.
PT15/4302/F | Installation of ATM to front elevation.
Following enquiries from readers, The Journal contacted Tesco on 29th January 2016 to ask when the store might re-open. A Tesco spokesperson told us:
“We look forward to reopening our Stoke Gifford Express in the next couple of months. The store is currently undergoing redevelopment work in order to significantly improve the experience for our customers.
“In the meantime, we would encourage them to visit nearby stores in Bradley Stoke and apologise for any temporary disruption.”
The extended Tesco Express store is due to reopen at 8am on Tuesday (8th March 2016).
The additional retail unit will open as a Barnardo’s charity shop:
Tesco shop open again this week. Not sure the gain has warranted such a long closure.
But where are the extra parking spaces?