Expansion signals the ‘end of an era’ (From The Oxford Times)
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Expansion signals the ‘end of an era’
12:00pm Wednesday 18th January 2012 in Didcot
John Ward owner of Broadway Pet Centre
SHOPPING centre owner Hammerson has started talks with Didcot traders who will be forced to make way for a £125m expansion of the Orchard Centre.
Traders in Lower Broadway, including those in Rich’s Sidings, will have to move out to accommodate the expansion of the centre.
South Oxfordshire District Council said in March last year that it would use compulsory purchase orders if necessary, but council spokesman Gavin Walton said no decision has been taken yet regarding that issue.
He added: “Hammerson are in dialogue with the occupants of Rich’s Sidings.
“However, it is too early to provide any details at this stage.”
Firms between High Street and the Hitchcock Way roundabout will have to move to make way for a 200,000sq ft extension to the centre, due to open in 2014.
Last month Hammerson confirmed that it aims to submit a planning application for phase two of the centre in the spring and is seeking a national chain as an anchor store.
John Ward, 64, who runs Broadway Pet Centre, said: “My lease is up this year so this shop is likely to close in the summer. We have been here eight years and the business has been in Didcot for 50 years.
“There is no doubt that when the shopping centre extension is built it will be the end of an era.
“Even if I wanted someone to take over I couldn’t because they know shops in this part of Broadway are coming down.”
South Oxfordshire and the Vale councils are hosting a business breakfast at the Cornerstone Arts Centre on Wednesday, February 1 from 7.30am to 9.30am.
Comments(6)
jayzee
says...
11:08am Fri 20 Jan 12
hesperus
says...
2:52am Sat 21 Jan 12
Adrian1
says...
9:09am Sat 21 Jan 12
jayzee
says...
11:28am Sat 21 Jan 12
Adrian1 wrote:'Forced to make way'. if the terms were fair, no force would be needed. Big business corruption aided and abetted by the council resulting in one company controlling leases and choice in Didcot and thence retail prices. Should we really 'wait and see', leaving the traders to battle alone?
In the event the options offered to the current traders are on par or better than they currently have then such a scheme is fair. My experience is that these traders are far more experienced, knowledgeable and amienable than most big chain stores and they have a great deal of respect from myself for that. In the event the terms are less then we simply have another example of big business corruption proving we've still learned nothing from our current and worsening situation. Who says the conditions are acceptable? That would have to be the existing traders.
mrlocal1
says...
9:19pm Mon 23 Jan 12
mrlocal1 says...
9:24am Thu 19 Jan 12
Many parents in the Didcot area have to go to get trainers, sport tops for their kids and also take their mums or dads to M&S for a suit...
A new department store will bring at least 400 jobs, then you have the rest of the stores..