Mirfield has become the target of supermarket developers, who claim that the town could benefit from having a store built, to the tune of £32million pound per year.
The claim was put forward by developers in their application for planning permission to the Kirklees council, saying that the addition of a new supermarket and petrol station would hugely benefit the economy of the area.
Wanting to build on a derelict site that used to house Veolia Water’s industrial site, St. James Securities are planning for a building that will cover 20,000 square feet.
Not only will the store bring an estimated 200 new jobs, but the managing director of St James Securities, Oliver Quarmby, has said that it would “anchor” the area’s economy. “Our proposal will help claw back the £32million lost from Mirfield each year and cut unnecessary car journeys to Dewsbury, Huddersfield and elsewhere.”
Mirfield town councillor Andrew White opposed this claim, saying “It seems to me like someone has just plucked a figure out of thin air.”
The trade in the town, the future of the current Co-op would be made uncertain and increases in traffic into the town are all causes for concern over the potential new build.
It is not known which super store the new build will be at this time, but it is thought to be an Asda.
