Local residents and councilors campaigning against Tesco's application to turn the Emperor Pub in Ipswich into a store

Ipswich: D-day for Emperor pub as officers back Tesco

By Paul Geater Tuesday, March 5, 2013
9:04 AM

THE fate of the Emperor pub in Norwich Road is set to be sealed tomorrow – with officials advising councillors to approve work to turn it into a Tesco store.

A planning application to build an extension to the pub to allow it to be converted into a neighbourhood Tesco store is to be considered by the borough’s planning and development committee tomorrow.

The conversion of the existing pub into a shop does not need planning permission – but Tesco has made it clear that it would need an extension to make such a store viable.

The proposed conversion of the pub has sparked a major campaign backed by local councillors and Ipswich MP Ben Gummer.

Protesters are expected to lobby councillors at the start of tomorrow morning’s meeting at the borough’s Grafton House headquarters.

However in their report to councillors for tomorrow’s meeting, officers point out there are other pubs within five minutes’ walk of the Emperor.

Members of the committee are likely to be very cautious before going against the recommendations of their planning officers. They went against the advice of officers in rejecting a proposed extension as part of the conversion of the Golden Key pub on Woodbridge Road.

Pub owner Greene King appealed the decision and won – leaving the borough with a £60,000 legal bill. That pub closed recently and is now about to be converted into a Sainsbury’s store which is expected to open within the next few months.

Is it right to convert pubs into supermarkets? Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail starletters@archant.co.uk

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4 comments

Let Tesco convert this to a small Tesco express and then see who uses it - no one will be forced to.It is simple market forces. If the pub was a going concern, then it would not have been closed.

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The original Victor Meldrew

Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Where the nearest pubs are, is not the issue - the empty shops that will result from yet another Tesco, will be. Personally, I never shop at Tesco out of protest and although living a few hundred yards from the Emperor, I won't be breaking that rule. It would be a change if councils did what we the voters wanted rather than seeing the opportunity to "know better" and then with hindsight being constantly proved wrong. As usual, this is all about short term financial gain.

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Sarky Sage

Tuesday, March 5, 2013
The application that was approved by the planning inspector in regard of Woodbridge Road was recommended for refusal by officers.

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IpswichSpy

Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Yes there is a pub within 5 minutes walk, there is also a co-op next door, another two co-ops within 5 mins walk, a bakery, chemist etc that would also face severe financial problems if yet another tesco were to be allowed. Come on, do the right thing. fight this thing.....

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Johnsons

Tuesday, March 5, 2013