ATS Euromaster ‘excluded’ from Altair

THE Altrincham branch of ATS Euromaster claims it has been “unfairly excluded” from the £70m Altair town centre regeneration that is forcing it from its premises.

ATS’ Oakfield Road premises have been the subject of a compulsory purchase order along with the Bridge Inn, but the company is urging Trafford Council and the developer Nikal to include it in the plans.

The car maintenance firm has been offered three other sites in the town but it says they are “extremely unsuitable”.

Altair will cover a 4.5-acre site between Tesco and Altrincham Leisure Centre. The permission granted by Trafford Council last year includes a new leisure centre; retail outlets, restaurants, coffee shops and cafes, a tenpin bowling alley, 150 new apartments, office space and a car park.

ATS’ group estates manager Rhys Jenkins said: “We have fought long and hard to stay where we are, or to be incorporated into the new plans. For some reason, unknown to us, we are being ignored. The council wish to see a mix of uses on the site but for some reason refuse to see us as part of that mix.”

He added: “Surely it’s madness that the needs of local motorists and businesses, plus the full-time employment of five skilled technicians, are being overlooked in a project billed as something that will regenerate the area.

“There is strong demand for our services in Altrincham and we enjoy a very loyal customer base, which the team has worked hard over several decades to build. We receive great customer feedback on a very regular basis, both from individuals and organisations alike; we even look after the local ambulance service fleet.

“We understand and very much support the desire to attract more businesses and residents locally, but firmly believe this should not be at the expense of established operations.”

In a statement the council said: “As with all other developments the developer has to go through the independent planning process which considers all aspects of the submitted development plans, before approval is given. These plans identify the entire development area and when approval is given it is then the developer’s responsibility to identify and secure tenants for the scheme.”

The council is now in the process of agreeing compensation with the company. Nikal’s managing director Nick Payne could not be reached for comment.