Work has been continuing over the weekend at the building previously known as the Ox Pub , to turn it into a Tesco Express. The opening date must be imminent.
Chiller cabinets can be see where there once was a bar.
Best One, a family run convenience store, two doors down, with just The Magic Wok separating their business from the new Tesco Express, will soon know the effect on their trade.
I think this is pretty damn disgusting that this has been allowed to go ahead, i hope with this blog, the locals and the help of the online radio station that the people of Abingdon and surrounding villages can have more of a voice when it come to these types of stupid decisions.
Im only pressuming as i do not know the ins and outs that whoever agreed to to this does not give a hoot about local business and tesco paid heavily for the privalage.
How can a town so small have 2 tesco express, 1 tesco, 2 co-op while local business falls by the wayside.
Its just plain crazy.
You forget waitrose .
I share your frustration but as per earlier blog threads on this topic there are currently no legal grounds for authorities to oppose this sort of development.
Regarding the specific development the way to counteract it is to vote with your feet/wallet and encourage others to do the same. If tescos make money from it they will stay – basic economics.
On the wider point to prevent future developments requires a change in the law to give community opinion more of a voice in planning decisions. You can lobby our MP on this and I have also set up an epetition which you may wish to sign (although judging from signatures so far maybe others don’t see this as a problem?)
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/4922
I can see where people are coming from when I look at the bigger picture but I wonder if peoples opinions would be the same about the Oxford road store if it was called mrs Smiths grocery? I doubt anyone would have anything to say about the impact on best one or be worried about voting with their feet or even what illuminated signs go up. Its just because of the name above the door im sure. Most of our shops have or have had direct compitition next door ie Wootton road a few years back, Northcourt, peachcroft, reynolds way. You can buy all of the products sold in the news agent type shops in the grocery shops next door or along a few doors. The only difference like ive said is that this one has a succesful supermarket ”giants” name above the door. Lets not forget the other three shops on Oxford road that I should think are going to do fantasticly well out of this! And the new jobs created, the range of decent and fair trade etc products. Best one will still be there for the teenage drinkers, smokers and jazz mag fans just like it always has been.
You are absolutely right Native. There would be few complaints if it were Mrs Smith’s Grocery store, but then again Mrs Smith’s Grocery store would be healthy and fair competition for Best One. Whereas Tesco have the economies of scale which ensures they can undercut Best One everytime. Not very fair at all.
Please, let’s not be taken in by the argument that Tescos, or any other similar shop, creates jobs. People only have so much money, or need to buy so much food, magazines, clothes etc. All this shop will contribute to the local economy is to move a few jobs about.
Maybe if the Ox had been a better pub, selling better quaility beer and food, it might have never closed!! In these times of austerity it is possible to run a sucessful pub, you just need to think out of the box.
can’t happen soon enough – at the moment there’s no competition on the road and unless i want to travel far i have no choice where to shop.
Strange how posts on this excellent blog about the Evil Empire that is Tesco always generate the most comments. We still have a long way to go before we reach Bicester proportions – didn’t the BBC do something last year saying they had NINE Tesco outposts and held the record for any town in the UK?
And I read in the Oxford Times that the ‘Fox and Hounds’ on the Abingdon Road has succumbed to the same fate. Soon we will have no choice in shopping. If Tesco (or Sainsbury) choose not to stock an item/line, then it won’t be obtainable.
As I understand, It was reported that the Chairman of the Planning Committee accused Tesco of using ‘bullying’ tactics to force the council into granting planning permission.
Planning permission for what? A sign and a drop kerb? They can’t of had to apply for much else. So are you suggesting shops in Abingdon should’nt be allowed disabled access and advertising on their buildings? Or just this one because you dont like the name of it?
I live near the Oxford Road and have always found Best One to be incredibly expensive, so avoid shopping there. Whilst I object to the “Tescofication” of towns, and actively support independent retailers in Abingdon, (Added Ingredients, Mostly Books, Gift Shop, amongst others), I am only prepared to pay a bit extra for unusual products, or added-value service etc. Maybe a bit of competition will force Best One to reconsider its business model and offer different stock, better service and so keep existing customers and encourage new customers. Afterall Abingdon is able to support two independent bookshops!
I could only report what was printed, with no suppositions about motive. I think that planning permission (as I read it) was requested for demolition of the pub and the rebuild into a new building for Tesco. However, I suggest that you may care to read the article for yourself.
PS My comment above (having suffered ‘cyberspace delay’) was in response to comment number 10.
Cassandra, I think Native didn’t read your post (9) properly as I believe you were referring to Tesco’s planning application at the ‘Fox and Hounds’ site in the Abingdon Road, Oxford where the company’s plans go far beyond disabled access and advertising on the building.
Returning to The Ox. I don’t think people object to Tesco having a supermarket in Abingdon any more than they do any other company. What people object to is Tesco increasing the number of outlets in the town as it suggests that their longer-term motives are anything but beneficial to Abingdon.
That’s my view too Newcomer – I suspect it is a defensive strategy from Tescos in anticipation of competition from a mainstream supermarket competitor in the centre of town
I wouldn’t weep too much for Best One. As their website says “Best-One is a company run by retailers with the know-how and resources to make YOUR independent business more profitable, more attractive to your customer base, and quite simply the best in your area.
From the moment you join the group and meet your local Business Development Executive you will see why Best-One are the most successful symbol group in the convenience store sector.
All our BDEs possess first-hand experience in independent retailing and will help you draw up a plan of action for your future success. Then they will provide ongoing support, advising you on anything and everything you need to know.
It’s a “hands-on” strategy, that has reaped rewards for over 600 retailers already, and the great news is, after a small administration charge, there are no other Best-One fees”.
I think a bit of local competetion is just what is needed – Best One group members collectively have enough buying power to survive the challenge of Tesco and a drop in prices will be a good thing for the local community.
Yes you are right there Newcomer I didnt read the post properly. Sorry Cassandra.
Tescos profits have nose-dived in 2011 and look flat for the year ahead. Are we seeing the result of high prices coupled with a perception of a company intent on monopolising towns such as Abingdon-Upon-Thames?
Going by yesteday’s news, Tesco’s have overreached themselves. This and the crazy plan for another super-store in town must have been deamt up before the current recession;( retailing and consumerism will never get our country or town out of our economic problems).
I read in the paper today that Teco’s response to the downturn was that they were not going continue investment in large Hypermarket-type stuff. Rather that they would concentrate efforts on their on-line operation and small Express type stores!! Not sure this is good news. However, this may be media speculation or ‘careful reporting’.
Just to say Oxonian It has created jobs, my 22 year old son was made redundant nearly a year ago and has been employed by Tesco to work in the new store on the Oxford Road. He has enjoyed a week of training in the Wootton Road store and can’t wait to get back to a working routine next week. Thank you Tesco I say!
Lor, you miss the point. Congratulations to your son for getting this job. Unfortunately, some months in the future a shop in Abingdon will make someone redundant because of a downturn in trade due to the new Tesco shop.
Tesco moved in because they had planning law on their side. There were 4 applications for various permissions to erect advertisement and traffic direction signs that went to the planning committee in November. I, as the local councillor, and 2 local residents spoke objecting to the applications. The committee had a lot of sympathy with our worries about the impact on traffic safety but was powerless to impose any restrictions on traffic movement or delivery hours because the law says it is not a change of use and therefore only existing restrictions can apply.
Planning law says that a change from a pub to a shop is not a change of use. Regardless of the Tesco factor The laws on change of use need to be amended so that local authorities can judge each individual case on its merits and likely impact on the locality.
If you agree then please lobby your MP and anyone else you know who might have influence, and sign Iain’s petition.
to play devil’s advocate, maybe the law is as it is, to stop councillors objecting in order to make a point on behalf of those that bother to complain rather than the majority who are either indifferent or in favour of.
The majority are often not aware of proposed changes until its too late. In this case the change in traffic patterns on a major school route heavily populated with young cyclists and pedestrians could have major consequences. This is something that, with some ameliorating meausres, could have been addressed. The County council could have advised and the District council could have required Tesco or whovever to put these measures in place.
There will be a public putcry if there is an accident – and THEN people will ask why it was allowed.
Yes, I agree planning law shouldn’t be an objectors charter but it should be there to protect residents from harmful or otherweise unsuitable development.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1328629/Tesco-opens-latest-convenience-shop–church.html
The official opening will be 10:30 on Friday 19th Jan although they start trading at 8:00.
Hi everyone in abingdon blog
I hope all of you have a very good start in 2012. As you know, i am the owner of the Best One shop that just opened last year in January. And have built very successful business and customer relationship.
Today is 20/01/2012; the horrible Tesco express opening day. I can’t describe my feeling and stress.so you can imagine it’s not my good start of the year 2012.
However my lovely local customers are encouraged and will support. Today I have seen in my shop, most of the customers who are very close relationship, all said to me “stay steady and we will support you”.I think it is extra ordinary.
Thank you
Sri