CONTROVERSIAL proposals to use part of Ashton Gardens for a supermarket have sparked a resignation by the chairman of St Annes Chamber of Trade.

Arnold Sumner, who is wholeheartedly against any loss of Ashton Gardens, stepped down from his job this week as he felt he could no longer keep silent over the proposals.

Meanwhile, the chamber as a whole voted by a massive majority to support Safeway's plans, with 75 per cent of members voting in favour, 22 per cent voting against and three per cent still undecided.

Mr Sumner said: "Even though I have resigned as chairman, I am still continuing to be a member of the chamber.

"As chairman you have to be completely unbiased.

"I feel so strongly about saving Ashton Gardens that I want to speak up about it.

"I have lived in St Annes all my life and Ashton Gardens is something the people of St Annes are very proud of.

"We treasure it in its entirety.

"The vote about Safeway's proposal was a democratic one and people are entitled to their views but with me feeling the way I do, I couldn't have put forward views about Ashton Gardens that I didn't agree with."

Andrew Brotherton, secretary of St Annes Chamber of Trade, said: "It was a massive vote of confidence by members towards the re-development of the town.

"The only proviso was that the total money raised must be spent on the renaissance and revitalisation of St Annes so that all the people of St Annes would benefit in having a more vibrant and enticing town with far better facilities for both young and old alike."

Safeway has now finished the public display of its £20m proposals which include not only a supermarket at the end of St George's Road, but a 350-space car park and petrol station, rebuilding the cafe with an exhibition space and creche in Ashton Gardens and moving the bowling greens, possibly to the seafront.

It expects to submit its planning application in the next few weeks.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.