Nick Gellatly writes to the North Norfolk News

Nick Gellatly wrote in to the North Norfolk News today to discuss the upcoming consultation event and the great and growing number of people showing their support for the new development. The full text of the letter follows:

I would like to clear up any misunderstanding about the number of people who have expressed support for a new Tesco supermarket in Sheringham. As a recent story in this newspaper reported, 1,200 people have contacted us to say they want a new store. This is not from a survey. Instead the vast majority of these people contacted Tesco by email or post responding to a short leaflet which asked if people wanted a new store and if they wanted to help. Additionally a large number joined an independent facebook group on the internet.

I am extremely encouraged that so many people took time to respond to our mailing and have given their support. The reason we believe this strongly suggests majority support is because mailings like this normally draw a fraction of the response we had in Sheringham. We are holding a consultation in Sheringham on 3 / 4 April at Oddfellows Hall; I hope many people will attend, find out more and give us their views.

However, we hope and believe that our plans - and the prospect of good value and convenient local shopping - will appeal to people in Sheringham, particularly in a recession. I am looking forward to hearing more views and holding useful discussions in the coming weeks."