The owners of Offerton Precinct allowed it to fall into serious disrepair and dilapidation. The owners of the Libsburne Garage, who had successfully run a local business and employed local people for 25 years, were told their premises would be compulsory purchased and that land sold to the owners of the Precinct to re-develop it. The owners of the garage thought this an appalling situation and decided to come up with first class plans to develop their own site themselves, consulting with local people and trying to place on the site exactly what local people told them they wanted. Local people said they wanted to keep the much-loved Indian restaurant, the Pharmacy, the convenience store and the local vets. They said they didn’t want a very big store building and they didn’t want more housing.
The Council insisted that a large store be built. It became obvious that there would be no end-user for the store. Supermarkets either wanted very small stores or giant ones like the Tesco at Portwood. The Council insisted it knew best.
