Spanish lecturer Mark Gant is the Liberal Democrat candidate for the Boughton ward by-election with concerns about several local issues including the rumoured opening of a Tesco Express.
Mark, who works at the University of Chester and has lived in Boughton for the past 14 years, said: “A Tesco mini supermarket will open on the shopping parade on Christleton Road in July – they will have the unit at the front of Jewsons and will refurbish the shed at the back for Jewsons. Clearly, this is a significant development and some of the shopkeepers on the parade will be worried.”
He added: “A real worry is that Tesco will press for traffic restrictions and double yellow lines – it is what has happened with similar developments – which will deter people from using the other shops.
“We must work hard to prevent existing businesses being hit so I would ask residents to care for those who have served our community for many years and support your local shops.”
Mark, of Princes Avenue, says another issue for residents is parking overspill from Lloyds Banking Group after he says the bank sold off an area accommodating 300 cars.
And he says Tory-led Cheshire West and Chester Council has “let the residents of Boughton down badly” by not investing in a replacement footbridge over the railway line forcing a closure of the dilapidated existing one on safety grounds.
Mark, treasurer of a charity for street children, a church council member at a local church and a keen walker, said: “I was delighted to have been selected to fight this campaign and I would be proud to represent the ward where I live on CWaC. “Boughton is a great place but I believe it can be better still. I would love the opportunity to put forward the case for Boughton.”
Read about the other candidates by clicking on the links below:
Boughton by-election: Labour's Martyn Delaney highlights concerns over Richmond Court
Boughton by-election: UKIP's Charles Dodman confident of success
Boughton by-election: Green Party's John McNamara is anti-fracking campaigner
Boughton by-election: Conservative's Kate Vaughan tackles anti-social behaviour
