ASDA Car Parking Update

We're pleased to announce that the ASDA car parking signs now reflect the parking arrangments of the lease agreement dated 13 November 1989 between Stockport Council and the tenant (formerly the Co-op and now ASDA).

After a long battle to get the signs changed last year it was particularly disappointing when ASDA's new car parking operator erected new signs that were again in breach of ASDA's lease agreement with Stockport Council.

Before tackling the problem for the second time we were successful in obtaining the details of the lease agreement from the legal department at Stockport Council; something we didn't succeed in last year as the terms of the agreement were deemed 'confidential between the parties'. (See details of agreement below).

The new car parking signs in ASDA car park, Marple

Details of the Lease Agreement - 1989 - between Stockport Council and ASDA 
(the current tenant)

"The lease provides that the "demised land" is not to be used for anything other than a shoppers' car park and that members of the public may use it between 9am and 9pm Mondays to Saturdays but that during trading hours the tenant (formerly the Co-op and now Asda) can charge vehicles parking there for longer than two hours.  It also states that outside trading hours the car park should be available to the public without charge (but can be closed after midnight"

ASDA Camera and Parking Signs removed from the Car Park

It was noted last week that the camera and car parking instruction signs have been removed from the ASDA car park. We wrote to the manager, Chris Baxter, requesting that any new signs be amended to reflect the fact that people may leave the site when parked in the ASDA car park.                                                  

                       The last sign stated that a parking charge may be issued if:

Parking signs removed from ASDA car park last week

4. Parking and leaving site  
    (unauthorised parking)

We first brought up this issue in May 2015 with Alan Jones, Senior Property Communications Manager of Asda, who confirmed 2 hours free parking during which time shoppers can leave the car park. He agreed to have the wording amended accordingly. This has not been done.

We have received a reply from the manager to say that ASDA will be serviced by a new operator in the coming months and they will review the new signs at the first opportunity and take it from there.

We have requested a copy of the covenant from the Legal Department at SMBC to confirm the agreement and ownership of the car park.     

                                                      

Illegal Banners Removed from ASDA Marple

An enforcement Officer from Stockport Council visited ASDA on Tuesday 22nd March to enforce the removal of banners along the frontage of Hollins Lane which do not have planning consent - we understand that the council will be confirming the enforcement order in writing to ASDA.

Ilegal banners removed from ASDA Marple

Illegal banners removed from ASDA Marple

Metal framework along Hollins Lane

Asda still do not have planning consent for: 
- the long green ribbon facia along the frontage and           around the gable end facing Hollins Lane
- the metal framework along the fence line with Hollins       Lane

Green ribbon fascia extending to Hollins Lane

ASDA parking signage and parking charge notices

Despite several representations over several months to ASDA, the parking notices have not been amended to reflect the covenant that allows free parking on the site after 7 o'clock in the evening and after closing hours at weekends. Last night the civic society was contacted by the manager of the Regent Cinema and two Marple residents who had each received a parking charge notice despite entering the car park after 7.00pm. We understand there are others.

It was great news to hear from Alan Jones, ASDA Senior Property Communications Manager, today to say that not only will all tickets be cancelled but the signage will be amended to reflect the 7.00pm free parking agreement and the fact that one can leave the site whilst parking there.                                         

If anyone else has been issued with a parking charge notice please let us know, email: mail@marplecivicsociety.org.uk -  If you have paid the charge you will be entitled to a refund.                

ASDA Meets Marple Residents

A meeting with ASDA was arranged by the civic society and took place in Marple's Senior Citizens Hall on Tuesday 13th October 2015. Alan Jones, senior property manager and Wayne Gleeson, general store manager were joined by Jenny, the community life champion and Andrew Lester from Hardhat, consultants for ASDA.

The meeting started with ASDA representatives introducing themselves, explaining their roles and a short presentation based on questions handed to them from the civic society. A Question and Answer session followed with both pre submitted questions and questions from the floor.

Wayne Gleeson - General Store Manager

See meeting notes for further details HERE 

Alan Jones, Wayne Gleeson, Jenny, Andrew Lester

ASDA - public meeting 13th October 2015

Public Meeting with ASDA - Tuesday 13th October 2014 

Venue: Senior Citizens Hall - Marple Memorial Park - 7.00 - 8.30pm

Marple Civic Society has invited ASDA to address the residents of Marple at a public meeting on Tuesday 13th October. The subject is "ASDA's Plans for Marple" and Alan Jones, senior property communications manager and Wayne Gleeson, general store manager will be joined by speakers from the company's Community Life Team and from HardHat, consultants for ASDA.

The evening will start with a presentation from ASDA followed by a question and answer session. Questions can emailed to the civic society in advance of the meeting. Your questions will be sent to ASDA so that they can prepare a response for the meeting but questions will also be taken from the floor during the Q&A session. 

Everyone is welcome - you don't have to be a member of the civic society - just turn up on the night - but please note that seating is limited to 150 places on a first come first served basis.

We look forward to seeing you

Email questions to: Marple Civic Society

Asda Signage Planning Application - 2nd application DC/058507

Asda has withdrawn their first signage planning application, dealt with some of the signage problems and resubmitted the application. The civic society is pleased that this scheme has been rethought and its impact reduced. 

There are several controversial signs that will be the subject of a separate application, including the long green facia board along the frontage and around the gable end facing Hollins Lane.

To view the society's response in full click HERE

Meeting with Asda

An informal meeting was held yesterday with Alan Jones, Senior Property Communications Manager of Asda.
We discussed the following issues: Parking, Signage, Neighbourhood Planning and the Marple Town Centre Urban Design Study Project which started on Wednesday 13th May.

Parking Arrangements

2 hours free parking during which time shoppers are free to leave the car park - if you need extra time ask a member of Asda staff in the store 

No return within 2 hours 

Free unlimited parking after 7pm Monday - Saturday and outside of store trading hours on Sundays

As the car parking signs are not clear we agreed it would be beneficial to alter the wording which would help to clarify the parking arrangements.

Signage

The last signage planning application has been withdrawn and a new application submitted.

There will be a separate application for 3 of the larger signs which will require further discussion.

Marple Town Centre Urban Design Study

Asda have given their support for the Urban Design Study and offered to meet with us when appropriate.

Mr Jones is also happy to attend a meeting of civic society members and residents. If you would like to attend such a meeting please email us: mail@marplecivicsociety.org.uk    

Asda Signage

Following our objection to the Asda planning application for signage we understand that a meeting has taken place between Stockport MBC planners and Asda.

Asda have agreed to withdraw their application and have taken down the offensive sign at the entrance to the Memorial Park.  However, as far as we know, they have not yet withdrawn their planning application.

Council Planning officers and Asda have promised to arrange a meeting in early May to which the Civic Society will be invited.

To view our response to the planning application in full see HERE

Planning Application DC/057703 - Proposed Advertisement Signs at Asda, Marple

The society's planning team has sent a response to Stockport MBC's Planning Department to oppose Planning Application DC/057703

To view the application documents see SMBC planning portal HERE

To view our response in full see HERE

Photo - Mark Whitaker, FoMMP

ASDA Cleared to Buy Marple Coop by Competition & Markets Authority

The Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) has cleared the ASDA purchase of the Marple Coop store.

In its judgement the CMA commented that if ASDA has more significant development plans that the Coop had "pre-merger" this does not mean that the merger will give rise to a substantial lessening of competition.  It went on to say that any development plans by ASDA may be subject to local planning law.

Finally, the CMA commented that it had seen no evidence that the merger will have a negative impact on the potential entry of another grocery retailer (Councillors please note!)

The full judgement can be seen on the CMA website HERE