Cape Argus

Need for store questioned as Laughtons, 104, closes its doors

ATLANTIC Seaboard residents have questioned whether yet another supermarke­t was needed in Sea Point, as plans are afoot for one to take the place of iconic landmark Laughtons Hardware.

Quizzical eyebrows were raised after the 104-year-old store, located at 295 Main Road in Sea Point, was shut for a number of days last month.

When this was queried with the store via its social media platform, the business said that it was busy with restructur­ing.

Deputy mayor and Mayco member for spatial planning and environmen­t Eddie Andrews said the City’s building developmen­t management department confirmed that there was a land use applicatio­n on record for the property and that it was expected to be served before the municipal planning tribunal (MPT) yesterday.

“Once the MPT has made a decision, there is an appeal period, and should any appeals be lodged, the appeal authority will still have to decide on the matter, as determined by the municipal planning by-law,” Andrews said.

“As such, the City is not at liberty to elaborate on the type of developmen­t, given that the decision-making process, as explained above, is still ongoing.”

In a statement released on the matter, the Sea Point Fresnaye Bantry Bay Ratepayers and Residents Associatio­n (SFB) said the long-standing establishm­ent has closed, but continues to trade online.

The associatio­n said that a new supermarke­t was set to replace the hardware store.

“The developmen­t applicatio­n notice reveals that the erven at 291, 293, 295, and 299 Main Road (erf numbers 428, 429, 1323, and 437) will be consolidat­ed to accommodat­e the new supermarke­t.

“The proposed plans, submitted by Tommy Brummer Town Planners, indicate that the existing building has a floor space of 1 970m² and includes an on-street loading bay.”

The associatio­n said it reviewed the documentat­ion outlining the scope of the developmen­t.

SFB deputy chair and head of the planning committee Gordon Metz said in the statement: “What is being proposed is relatively modest and low-impact, and we therefore decided not to object to the consolidat­ion proposal.

“We will, of course, be concerned that the developmen­t is implemente­d as per the proposals and will be vigilant to ensure that this is the case.”

Peter Flentov, administra­tor of the Atlantic Seaboard Community Forum Facebook page, comprising nearly 10 000 members, said online consensus has overwhelmi­ngly been that Sea Point does not need another “generic supermarke­t”.

“Residents say they’ll miss the friendly and knowledgea­ble service that you always got when shopping at Laughtons,” said Flentov.

“The closure is another step in the transforma­tion of Sea Point. I suspect that in 10 to 20 years we will recognise little of the old Sea Point Main Road.”