Claims that small shops could go to the wall and town centre trade would suffer were made when councillors gave the go-ahead to a controversial development.
Claims that small shops could go to the wall and town centre trade would suffer were made when councillors gave the go-ahead to a controversial development.
British Rail and the Co-op had put in a joint application to extend Glossop Shopping Giant store.
And High Peak Borough Council’s planning committee had given the go-ahead.
Customers seeing the chance of cheaper goods on the shelves and wider choice were all for it.
But in a front page story in February 1983, fears were voiced that small shops would be unable to compete on prices and would close.
There were similarities drawn to Stamford Street, Ashton, which had gone into decline when a shopping precinct opened.
And Lower Market Street, Hyde, following the opening of Fine Fare Hypermarket.
But the £350,000 scheme which would have an impact on the adjacent train station was approved.
The store had been created from the station’s former goods warehouse and track.
Extending it would involve laying new lengths of line and the trains operating from a different platform.
The store’s car park would also be significantly increased to cater for the upsurge in trade the extension would bring.
Forty years on, Glossop has more fringe of town centre shopping developments, and the heart of town has a wide range of traders.
Progress, many say, has clearly paid off.
