STOP PRESS: Lyme Bay Holiday Village - bought by Tesco, to close at the end of 2008. 400 tourist beds, nursery, gym, pool to go
Well, it happened. Lyme Bay Holiday Village has been bought outright by Tesco and will close by the end of this year (final closing date first week in January 2009). The owner was obviously given a price he could not refuse (he could have waited until July next year and, if there had been no planning application in force, he could have then sold to Tesco - presumably he thinks he got a better price doing it now). Staff have been told they will get a "loyalty" bonus if they stay until the last day but, of course, will be looking for new jobs as from today - so it could close much earlier if it can't get the agency staff to replace them. No problem for Mr Harrison (who owned the camp until recently) - he's still got several hotels and another holiday camp in Burnham-on-Sea - he just moves tourists to them instead.
So - 150 people without jobs, 400 bedspaces (80% occupied all year round) lost to the town (that's 90% of the tourist beds in Seaton, more than 60% of the tourist beds in the area from Branscombe to Axmouth and north to Colyford). A large number of people (I think around 30-50) who live-in at the holiday camp become potentially homeless, some shops will see takings down by around 60% without the holidaymakers, some pubs seeing their trade plummet (particularly in winter, which is hard enough). No nursery - it will have to close, no gym in the town, no pool in the town.
Well, we have to hope that Tesco knows what it is doing and that they will be addressing these issues urgently - after all, they are a "caring" employer and only want to do good in the areas in which they build their new stores.
As a councillor I can say that - so far - I have so far not been given the opportunity to meet with anyone from Tesco to discuss this or any other proposal. As far as I am aware, councillors have not told about this in advance, learning of it from staff at the holiday village who had received their letters this morning.
posted by Fighting for East Devon's future @ 4:42 pm
8 Comments:
Given the pace of change since Tesco took over the driving seat I think there is a done deal on the horizon. Small tweek to the Liatris plan then Seaton becomes a boring featureless overspill dormitory town whilst Sidmouth reaps the benefits of tourist income and council investment.
What a tragedy. Seaton is a great place to visit, speaking as a tourist myself. :-(
How many Tesco's does Britain need? I hope that they don't get their way and spoil the local environment. What a shame.
Take away local facilities and replace them with shopping opportunities - hmmm - no brainer I'd say!
The loss of income tourist-generated income will have a profound effect. Does the area have sufficient population and income to warrant a supermarket on this site?
It is amazing that the march of the supermarkets just goes on and on.
It's a divide and conquor policy where one person is rewarded and a community bears the cost.
well done tescos, in a stroke of genius they have removed facilities and gained the resentment of the entire area.
spitfire
Just returned from yet another break at Lyme Bay village, lovely town, lovely people.Staff heard the news while I was there, and were shell-shocked. Surely the derelict site next door is big enough for Tesco's store without wrecking holiday makers enjoyment, and probably killing off many local shops. At breakfast 3 men got up from a table, and as they walked out, they donned Tesco yellow vests, talk about rubbing salt into wounds! I have started using my local Sainsbury's this week, and ignoring the Tesco next door. I really hope that Lyme bay Village might be saved, Mike Drake, Barkingside, Essex.
Wake up Seaton! My first visit to the resort this weekend and oh how disappointed I was. A town stuck in the 1960's and not a peny spent on it since 9or so it seemed). Dreadful buildings covered in mold and decay. I was intriuged by the signs and fences as I arived by tram and found this forum to anser my questions. Seaton badly needs investment and should not be forcing people to put up with conditions that have exisited for decades - so they must be OK! Drag yourselves up to date - by all means keep the lovely victorian buildings but strive to move on from the mistakes of the 60's and 70's. British seaside resorts are making a comeback but I feel you'll miss out unless money comes into town and Tesco is just the sort of company you need to turn the tide of factory and shop closures. Then get some decent accomodation built - and replkce those rooms youre losing with the holday park closure. The town deserves better. That coastline is beautiful.
Post a Comment
<< Home