“i am looking for afternoon job.i have experience in londis store i also have experience in stacking shelves.i would like to work in a store like tesco”

“hi can we tender for the demolition works”

“I live in a PRIVATE LEASE HOLD flat adjacent to the area under the 'Cromwell Road' consultation site, and have the leasehold right for more than 100 years. I have not been consulted by the council and feel that any proposal would be amount to a 'land grab' on the cromwell area with loss of green space (lower bridge road open space) a historic building (Salvation Army building built in 19th century). Whilst I admit the 3 Raven Housing blocks of flats are not great- a little paint would substantially improve the area! The local shops on Cromwell Road are not nice either but what about a gym built here. The cromwell road site proposed is a predominantly RESIDENTIAL area, the land use change is significant. In effect the council would struggle to get me to move unless they offered a huge financial incentive as I have no plans to move! I went to the Tesco proposal and support this site in full on the Reading Arch site. This site is commercial in current land use, no residential properties on the site, good access, good local roads and is a good size.”

“Just responding to Nick's question about the cost of redeveloping the Cromwell Road site, and whether the Council's preference for a supermarket there is influenced by the cost of redeveloping that site.

The answer is absolutely yes. I am not an engineer but I would estimate the cost of redevloping that area as being tens of millions of pounds - well beyond the means of Reigate & Banstead BC, Surrey CC and Raven Housing combined.

The only land use which can generate enough income to support this level of redevelopment cost would be a supermarket, probably in combination with smaller shops, flats and perhaps offices. An alternative such as a department store wouldn't generate enough, since they would probably demand a long rent free period.

Even then, the Cromwell site may not be viable, in which case we may not get major redevelopment there, and then Brighton Road might become the best alternative, being far less difficult (and therefore cheaper) to develop.

That is why I think it is worth considering Cromwell Road first, as I think it has the most potential to benefit the town. Regardless of my own views, I think it is in everyone's interests to take time over this major decision, and not feel rushed into it by the actions of one particular company with its own priorities and interests.”

“The short notice and restricted opening hours of the Warwick School exhibition for this development sums up Tesco's famous attitude to such developments.
The only thing that everyone agrees with is that the dreadfull customer experience in the existing Sainsbury's needs the competition. However what Redhill doesn't need is the extra congestion on the A23 at this spot and trade taken away from a already struggling town centre. The obvious place for such a development should have been the new office blocks (still empty) at the old Brabazon House site (is it RedOne now?). Unfortunatly our inept local council missed this opportunity. So come on R&B Council knock this idea into touch and get Tesco (or preferably Waitrose / Co-Op) to re-consider a different site closer to the town centre. Oh & by the way - lets re-develop the Harlequin starting with the removal of the eyesore canopy in the Warwick Quadrant.”

“It doesn't even need to be a large store, one medium store or 2 small stores. I think Tesco is too convenient and people won't bother to go into town as they won't want to find another place to park and also crossing is difficult by the Brighton Road site which would put of the idea of walking into town.”

“There is no doubt Sainsbury's needs the competition of another supermarket. Perhaps they will then pull their socks up and a provide a better service and a better store. At the moment they aare exploiting a captive audience. It does not necessarily need to be a Tesco. There are other supermarkets offering keen pricing that would appeal to Redhill's customer profile. Perhaps CO-OP? Yes it is good to have extra jobs, Yes it is good to rejuvinate Redhill. But no it should not be on the busy A23, outside of the town centre. Tesco are just mooting tjis site because it it more covenient to them and will cost them less that the Cromwell road site. The council really needs to hold with its original plan. Cromwell Road needs the redevelopment . Choose a supernarket chain that cares about how it will integrate wil Redhill and not a supermarket that starts to dictate what it wants to do for its own profit. Do not believe that Tesco are wanting to go into Redhill for any other reason than profit.”

“Let us look at the options:

Food purchases:
M&S or Sainsburys

Sainsburys service appears still to be lacking based on the comments on here. Just re-inforcing my positive decision not to shop there for the last 4 years.

A Tescos store would provide competition to Sainsburys which would have to either improve service and product range/quality or close

I am not convinced that Brighton Road would be the correct location. I personally would prefer the Cromwell Road site as it 100m closer to the town therefore encouraging people to come into the town rather than just the new store.

The town does need to have more pull factors and therefore the following need consideration:

Could the current Woolworths site be used as an indoor market?

Is there any potential for a tenpin bowling facility, cinema or other low cost leisure facility in the town/ on the Brighton Road site.

Are there an additional shops, such as Wilkinsons, which would also compliment the town and attract more visitors.

Finally out of Reigate and Redhill - I feel safer in Reigate, we have a Police Station located half way between the two towns, with poor public transport links, that is unable to expand despite the changing face of policy in modern society. Is it time to consider using the Brighton Road site for a new larger police station? Would it be useful to increase it's capacity as a main response and custody location. Would the move nearer to Redhill also assist in making it more assessible to the community it serves?”

“Perhaps we do need some competition for Sainsburys, but why does it have to be Tesco? (which is monopolising the market) - or even a supermarket? Why can't we set an example by having a collection of independent food and farm retailers or an indoor market to give us real choice with the same convenience as a supermarket. Some creative thinking is needed here.”

“I can't stand the Sainsbury's in Redhill - it is a terrible store. I drive to Hookwood to use Tesco there and would use this like a shot. The thing is, Tesco understand that shopping now needs to be a pleasant experience AND fit in with the lifestyles of busy people with less £ in their pockets - eg I bought a jacket at the weekend for £30 in Tesco after I' bought my mince! And it's all good quality. That is what I (and many other realistic people) want - a one stop shop that is good value, and if no-one else can be bothered to do that (even though they have been in the town for years) then they deserve this competition. For those of you who "hate" Tesco because they are "taking over the world", then I suggest you grow up and look through the world in less rose tinted specs and more into the real one. Plus people (along with you)have a choice!

As for the positioning, surely the council are suggesting the Cromwell Road estate because it is a better proposition for them as it gets rid of a "blot" on the Redhill landscape and means they don't have to spend the money on the redevelopment. Come on Councillor - truthfully tell me that ISN'T going through you mind!”