Sainsbury's set to open in Thatcham next year

Nearby residents had raised objections to the store, citing the potential for anti-social behaviour, noise pollution and additional traffic.
Thatcham councillor Dominic Boeck (Con, Thatcham South and Crookham) outlined residents’ concerns at a meeting of West Berkshire Council’s eastern area planning committee last Wednesday.
Mr Boeck said that the parking issue was particularly worrying as previous occupants of the building had “left an enormous amount of parking mayhem and residents fear this will come back again”.
While some have raised concerns over the store’s impact on the local area, support has come from the chairman of the Thatcham Chamber of Commerce, Jeremy Cottam.
“The chamber would welcome such a leading retailer as Sainsbury’s to Thatcham,” he said. “When the building was first built it was a retail premises. It will provide more choice for the public and increase the viability of the town.
“We welcome and support this as it raises Thatcham’s profile as a shopping area.”
Building on this support planning agent Paul Newton said that the store would regenerate the area and increase footfall along Chapel Street, while providing jobs for local people. Sainsbury’s says that the store will employ five full-time staff and 20 part-time staff.
Mr Newton said that Sainsbury’s had modified its plans following extensive public consultation to try and ease residents’ fears.
The amended plans now include 15 car parking spaces, up from the initial 13, installing CCTV and securing the car park overnight in an effort to prevent people from overstaying.
The store will be open from 7am until 11pm and has a licence to sell alcohol between 8am and 10pm. Sainsbury’s has also agreed to pay West Berkshire Council £23,400 to mitigate any additional traffic.
Mr Newton said that a store the size of the one proposed could expect around seven deliveries a day.
During the debate Keith Chopping (Con, Sulhamstead) said: “I think it will be a benefit to Thatcham but I do have concerns about the car parking. I think 15 car parking spaces is inadequate provision for this type of use. I will vote in favour because we have been told by officers that it ticks all of the boxes.”
And Richard Crumly (Con, Thatcham Central) said: “People will park where they should park. This is a purpose- built retail unit and I’m sure a lot of people will walk. Overall it seems to me that Sainsbury’s have done their homework.”
Speaking on the decision, Sainsbury’s regional acquisitions manager Robin Ockendon said: “Through extensive consultation with the local community we evolved the proposals ... and we are delighted that West Berkshire Council has approved the plans.
"We hope the shop will open early next year and we will be updating the community with further information shortly.”