A fast food shop owner claims the arrival of a new Domino’s Pizza on his local high street will ‘kill all businesses’.
Sukru Akgul, owner of Pizza Box in Haxby, has slammed plans for the popular chain to open another store in his town – because it will mark the fourth branch in the vicinity of York.
Plans submitted to City of York Council show an application to take over the former site of Haxby Fortune Inn Chinese Restaurant.
The eatery opened in 2009 before closing for business in recent months.
Pizza Box, which is less than half a mile away, is a well-established fixture in the town, having served customers for two decades, but Mr Akgul believes the presence of Domino’s could spell the end for his business.
The owner of Pizza Box in Haxby, near York, has slammed plans for Domino’s to open another store in his town – because it will mark the fourth branch in the vicinity of York
Owner Sukru Akgul said he would be ‘devastated’ if he had to close his business of 20 years
Council planners will are scheduled to discuss the application for Domino’s on October 10
He added that customers wanting Domino’s for collection or delivery can order one from the branch in Clifton Moor, just over three miles away.
Speaking to YorkMix, he said of the application: ‘It will kill all businesses, not only us. It will kill the Indian, Chinese, fish and chips, and the other pizza takeaway.’
Mr Sukru is concerned that the small town is already very well-served by fast food establishments and does not need another.
Haci’s Place, just two doors down from the proposed new Domino’s has an extensive array of pizzas on its menu.
He also cited potential issues from increased traffic and ‘kids hanging around’ in the town as reasons to object the plans, though he is also worried for his own livelihood.
The thought of closing his doors and letting his staff go has left him ‘devastated’, he added.
Mr Sukru said: ‘There are enough takeaways here, we don’t need a big company.
‘It’s so hard, if I finish here, what am I gonna do? I haven’t got any second plan because everything is relying on this business.’
Council planners will are scheduled to discuss the application on October 10.
MailOnline has contacted Domino’s Pizza for comment.
The dissent seen in Haxby against a big name business opening on the high street is not unique.
Last month, hundreds of residents in Swaffham, Norfolk rallied against plans to open a Greggs store in the historic Georgian market town because of the threat posed to popular family bakery Well Bread Bakers.
The local shop has been a firm favourite in Swaffham for the last 40 years with many residents opting to shop local.
A petition, set up by local resident Karl Chappell, has reached 961 signatures in opposition to the proposal to open the Greggs – and keep the ‘heart’ of the town.
Emma and Andy Godfrey, owners of Well Bread Bakers, said their small business could be forced to make redundancies if people chose to go to Greggs.
Emma, 35, said: ‘If Greggs decide in a year’s time that they don’t want to stay open in Swaffham, losing small businesses for the sake of one isn’t good for the town.
‘We are making enough money to pay for our outgoings and just enough to keep going.
Domino’s is proposing to open in this now-closed Chinese restaurant, which is just half a mile down the road from Pizza Box – and two doors away from another pizza eatery
‘But if a big enough portion of our takings are lost, we’re going to have to look at different way to cut our costs. Greggs isn’t a bakery per se as it is also a large chain coffee shop.
‘We have lots of independent coffee shops already. For visiting trade, people see a name they know and go in there rather than explore a little hidden gem.
‘Locals like to support people they know and they’d rather buy in places where they know where the money is going.
‘We have 14 team members here and every single one lives within five miles of Swaffham. It’s a shame this could be lost.’
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Mr Godfrey, 61, took over Well Bread Bakers in 2002 after working there most of his life.
Emma and Andy Godfrey, owners of Well Bread Bakers, said their small business could be forced to make redundancies if Greggs opens up a branch in Swaffham, Norfolk
Mother-of-two Emma added: ‘Wage and energy costs are at an all time high and small businesses like us are having to fight to survive.
‘We sell filled rolls and hot food – with Greggs coming in that is going to affect our take-ins.
‘We’d have to make redundancies as we can’t keep putting our prices up.’
Meanwhile Marian Gibson, 73, who has lived on the outskirts of Swaffham for 40 years, said there was no need for Greggs when the town already had its own independent businesses.
She said: ‘I don’t think we need it. We’ve got a good bakers and we don’t need the competition.
‘Swaffham should stay as a market town – we’ve already got loads of supermarkets and we need to keep these small family shops running. I think the council should be doing more.’
Swaffham Town Council have no objections to the proposal.
