A project to set up a large area of less than 1,000 square meters greatly worries the traders of Lespignan, in the Biterrois. A petition is circulating for several weeks, and has already collected more than 800 signatures. The building permit has not yet been filed. The land belongs to Hérault Habitat. Professionals are up to the task. This supermarket could ultimately have serious consequences on their turnover. The entire city center could suffer from this location just 700 meters from the city center.
“It’s the death of the village …” Cathy, owner of the SPAR supermarket for 15 years
48.3% of French municipalities have no business
This rapidly developing commune has seen its population increase year after year: 3,329 inhabitants according to the latest INSEE census. About sixty housing units are under construction, with 20 businesses, including 10 catering trade in the city center.
“We will not be able to fight against the promotions offered by the supermarket.”
The argument put forward by detractors is first of all the proximity of four supermarkets within a radius of less than 10 kilometers (Colombiers, Salles-d’Aude, Nissan-lez-Enserune, Sérignan)
“On the 25th of the month, customers would not eat if we did not give them credit. People keep telling us that we are important and that we play a social role. I am not sure that the supermarket offers this same service. . “
In the village, the inhabitants are very divided: “We want the village to live, but indeed we will have better prices if a supermarket sets up nearby, this Pascale. These days, saving money is good for our wallet too. “
Gyselle supports small traders: “I go to do my shopping on foot every day. I do not have a car. Of course it will kill them. And then the quality offered is much better than in supermarkets. “
Jean-François Guibbert, the mayor of Lespignan, understands these concerns. But according to the elected official, they are unfounded: “We have asked for a study to be carried out to measure the impact of this creation. The results are expected before Easter. We will advise at that time.”
“The village is changing, growing. We want to provide additional services with this establishment. For example, a gas station is planned. What we have not had for about forty years.”
“We are not insensitive. We are not trying to kill local shops, quite the contrary. But this supermarket will allow the development of the ZAC belonging to Hérault Habitat. It will be an additional contribution for small shops in the city center.”
Hérault Habitat is in fact the owner of the land in the Lespignan ZAC, ‘‘but we are not the bearer of this project” says President Vincent Gaudy (mayor of Florensac). The project leader (Intermarché) did not no obligation to request authorization, the area being less than 1,000 square meters.
However, municipalities with fewer than 20,000 inhabitants may require that the location be examined by the departmental commercial development commission to measure the impact and determine whether the catchment area is large enough. The traders requested it two weeks ago. The mayor has not yet spoken.
“The majority of residents are in favor of this project. There is positive feedback from the population. It is not necessarily those who go shopping in these businesses.”
For the mayor, ” all the villages of the La Domitienne community of communes have a large surface area and this does not mean that local shops do not work. There will be an impact, that’s for sure, but I’m sure the impact won’t be as big as they want to suggest. “
Traders, for their part, rely on a study carried out by the CCI of Hérault, which shows that the West Hérault is sufficiently equipped with large surfaces.
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