250 JOBS PROMISED BUT ONLY 100 DELIVERED AND THEY CALL THAT SUCCESS!

It was interesting to learn that one of our more vociferous councillors has now managed to drum up enough interest to actually visit the new TESCO extra store in Hattersley, especially as it’s now been open for nearly 5 months.

Upon reading the councillors travelogue of the visit, one couldn’t help feel that this area of the borough was wholly unfamiliar territory to him, and as he meandered on his educational fieldtrip, one could almost find oneself sharing in his apparent surprise that the ‘new community hub’ had indeed been built on the same site and shared with us his apparent amazement that he found both buildings ‘impressive’ and especially how ‘big and open’ the TESCO extra store was, noticeably offering two floors with easy access.

Sounding as if awakening from unconsciousness, he then went on to say that remembering his visit to the site before the build was started; he had wondered how they would look when completed!

He then went on to graciously inform us that “there are also a McDonalds and a large Inn across the road, near the motorway exit!” (It’s actually a Travelodge and a Pub/Restaurant, and they have been there for a good number of years, but let’s not let accuracy encroach on a ripping yarn!)

Now bear in mind that John Taylor is one of Tameside’s councillors who approves the building of many constructions in general and gave the ‘green light’ to this controversial store in particular; so to now say ‘he wondered what it would look like when it was finished’ only serves to prove the point; born-out by his own admittance, that many of these irreversible planning approvals, are being carried out by people with little or no foresight!

However, irrespective of whether certain councillors are ‘out of their depth’ when it comes to forward planning, it still begs the question, why First Deputy, (Performance & Finance) Cllr Jim Fitzpatrick, who represents Hyde Godley ward announced at the time of the highly contested planning approval, “…This is excellent news and adds to the regeneration and redevelopment of the area. Tesco have said they will reserve 250 of the jobs for local residents but, as they have a general practice of recruiting people who live locally, I would expect that most of the 450 employees will be local residents”

However, now the store has opened, he has still not explained why TESCO’s and Tameside council’s promises were broken and only 100 jobs were allocated to residents and the total allocation of 450 was slashed down to 301?

We still await your answers, councillors.