Tesco is not being built in Littleborough

What was the proposed site on Skipton Street, Littleborough for a Tesco supermarket

A Tesco store that was set to be built in the heart of Littleborough is no longer going ahead.

It is understood that Carlisle Interconnect, who currently occupy the site on Stockton Street, received notice from Tesco yesterday morning (Monday 20 October) informing them that they will not be building a store in Littleborough.

Tesco spokesperson Mark Thomas said: “We’re grateful to those in the community that showed support for our proposals in Littleborough and we recognise that many people will be disappointed by this decision. Our customers’ shopping habits have changed over the past few years. People now tend to shop less in large stores and more in convenience stores and online. In light of this, we have carefully reviewed our proposals for Littleborough and a large Tesco store is no longer appropriate. This is a decision we did not take lightly.

“We continue to serve customers from our popular Rochdale superstore and Express store nearby in Milnrow.”

The decision to go ahead with the Tesco store was approved by councillors on the Licensing and Regulatory Committee in January despite many objections from local residents.

Eric Pulford who was one of the objectors said: “You have made my day. I am pleased to hear this because Littleborough as a village will survive. We like Littleborough the way it is and don’t need anymore supermarkets.”

Councillor Ann Stott said: “I am delighted that this is no longer going ahead. A big company like that would have decimated the village shops and independent shops that we have here. On one hand I feel sorry for them because of the situation they are in but on the other hand, it is a good thing for the town. I know there were a lot of people for the store but there were also a lot of people against it.”

Littleborough Resident and Rochdale Online Director John Kay was in favour of the plans and said: “I am disappointed but hope that Littleborough’s existing supermarkets and local shops make themselves so attractive that another supermarket does not have to be built.”

The 24,000 sq ft store was set to be built on a site on Stockton Street.