BUSINESS owners in Wotton have mixed feelings about a possible supermarket being built on a small industrial site.

Wotton Chamber of Trade surveyed its members on the issue of the Old Town site, currently home to an arm of Renishaw plc.

The precision engineering firm has signalled it plans to move out of the site soon, because it is outgrowing the space, and will be looking to sell it on – potentially to a supermarket although this has not been confirmed.

Around 40 per cent of chamber members responded to the survey giving mixed results ranging from support for a supermarket to strong opposition to the idea, although there was unanimous agreement that more parking would be necessary on the site.

When asked whether a supermarket on the site would be a good idea, providing it had good parking and walkways to the town, 23 people agreed and 14 disagreed, with five voting neither way.

Asked simply would a supermarket benefit Wotton 19 agreed it would and 19 disagreed.

Traders were not enthusiastic about the site being turned into a housing development. Those that did think it was a good idea said the housing should be affordable for first-time buyers and young people.

Comments made on the questionnaires included: "Whether housing, offices or a supermarket I feel that they need adequate parking and easy access to the main shops, which will in turn encourage more people into the town."

Another said: "Wotton doesn’t need another supermarket. Trade will be taken from the butcher and the other independent retailers, Please keep Wotton special. We need more independent shops and cafes. Better parking would attract more visitors."

Whilst a third said: "A supermarket would bring people to the town and keep the other shops open."

Chris Pockett, spokesman for Renishaw, said: "Renishaw has said that it would listen to feedback from the community with regard to planning proposals for our Old Town site, and this has included waiting for the Wotton Chamber of Trade to conclude its survey of members."

He said the company had taken on board all the views and the issue about parking in the town centre.

He added: "We are looking at various options for the relocation of our rapidly growing scientific business division that currently occupies the Old Town site and in parallel we will continue to discuss proposals with the community to seek a viable and productive reutilisation of the site."