A year ago the Pontyclun New Town Development working group
posted a piece evaluating how this new evidence on the future impact of
internet shopping might impact on the proposed development. Since that time we
have extensively used this analysis in our responses to RCT and in support of
our ‘call in’ request to the Welsh Government.
If you follow the financial press you will see that Morrisons
are linking up with Ocado in a desperate attempt to overcome their lack of
internet provision. On the other hand Tesco have purchased Giraffe restaurants
in a similar desperate move to attract customers to their large stores.
Now, how might these fast moving circumstances be affecting
Sainsbury? Perhaps we will find out soon? Similarly the private equity
companies that ultimately own Valad the local developer are really only
interested in realising the additional value achieved through planning
permission by selling on as soon as possible. We were informed as much during
the consultations as other more specialised companies are the ones who do the
actual development. If they are interested in a quick buck any wobble on
Sainsbury’s part will be fatal especially as they will be expected to pay up
front £4m for the phase 2 infrastructure when permission is finally announced:
no quick bucks and no trebles all round.
We were right to pick up on the internet shopping changes a
year ago. Perhaps we are also right to speculate about these fast changing
circumstances. Watch this space. RCT might like to look at our blog and start
to think about the ideas we have proposed that will create real long term jobs
for the area.
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