Tesco plan Express store for London Road (From Bucks Free Press)

BucksComment wrote:
Good bye to local shops including Cost Cutter, the sandwich shops etc.

Dave100487 wrote:
the Costcutter on Bowerdean?? i think the Tesco Express in terriers is closer to that one than the other one will be.

Scarletto wrote:
A bit of good news for us but bad news for Costcutter.

X3SGR wrote:
At last i live in near to this site and i have been waiting for them to put one around here thanks Tesco.

hm1 wrote:
p.s. I'm an amateur photographer...if you'd like to borrow my skills so you're not reduced to using as a headline photo a blurry image of a carrier bag, looking like it was taken in the BFP loos, you'd be welcome anytime.

Ringo Lewis wrote:
I'm hearing that the Golden Fleece pub in Totteridge is closing and a Tesco Express is meant to go there as well???? anyone else hear this or have any other news on whats going to happen to the Fleece??

gotanybiscuits? wrote:

hm1 wrote:
p.s. I'm an amateur photographer...if you'd like to borrow my skills so you're not reduced to using as a headline photo a blurry image of a carrier bag, looking like it was taken in the BFP loos, you'd be welcome anytime.

Don't be so picky.
It doesn't have the usual, hilarious, "photo by Ivor", or "buy this photo" tags on it.
.
Be grateful!

esilvester wrote:
The junction needs improving and parking needs to be sorted out for existing businesses. I cant see the council footing the bill for that, so getting tesco to pay would make that possible.

Costcutter would take a hit as it's passing trade that is the opportunity for tescos, as opposed to local services. Something that the current parking makes impossible.

hm1 wrote:

esilvester wrote:
The junction needs improving and parking needs to be sorted out for existing businesses. I cant see the council footing the bill for that, so getting tesco to pay would make that possible.

Costcutter would take a hit as it's passing trade that is the opportunity for tescos, as opposed to local services. Something that the current parking makes impossible.

I can't see Tesco paying for the junction outside the retail park to be improved, and it is that insanity that needs addressing. takes a good 20minutes to get out of the park on a weekend lunch time.

Slacker wrote:

hm1 wrote:

esilvester wrote:
The junction needs improving and parking needs to be sorted out for existing businesses. I cant see the council footing the bill for that, so getting tesco to pay would make that possible.

Costcutter would take a hit as it's passing trade that is the opportunity for tescos, as opposed to local services. Something that the current parking makes impossible.

I can't see Tesco paying for the junction outside the retail park to be improved, and it is that insanity that needs addressing. takes a good 20minutes to get out of the park on a weekend lunch time.

Actually there is a clause in local planning that big companies must pay for improvements to a local area when they set up shop - usually this ends up being improvements to local roads/junctions which need to be done and the council won't do.

hm1 wrote:

Ringo Lewis wrote: I'm hearing that the Golden Fleece pub in Totteridge is closing and a Tesco Express is meant to go there as well???? anyone else hear this or have any other news on whats going to happen to the Fleece??

The Golden Fleece is up to let again, but I don't think they can change the usage? Now if a tesco were to go there that would be daft - it would be half way between the one at Terriers and the proposed one on London Road.

Slacker wrote:
A pub is considered a community facility/amenity. If a company wishes to change usage from a pub to retail it has to be proven that the community will not lose an amenity. Therefore it is more difficult to make a change of usage on a pub which is open and trading than a pub which is closed and has been for some time. The council will look to see if there are other pubs in the area that can suck up the loss to the community.

washondo wrote:

Slacker wrote:

hm1 wrote:

esilvester wrote:
The junction needs improving and parking needs to be sorted out for existing businesses. I cant see the council footing the bill for that, so getting tesco to pay would make that possible.

Costcutter would take a hit as it's passing trade that is the opportunity for tescos, as opposed to local services. Something that the current parking makes impossible.

I can't see Tesco paying for the junction outside the retail park to be improved, and it is that insanity that needs addressing. takes a good 20minutes to get out of the park on a weekend lunch time.

Actually there is a clause in local planning that big companies must pay for improvements to a local area when they set up shop - usually this ends up being improvements to local roads/junctions which need to be done and the council won't do.

All true.
As a result we had the much vaunted planners boast "we have insisted in them installing traffic lights" at Kingsmead business park, which, planned correctly, could have been handled by a roundabout but subsequently resulted in traffic congestion on London Road and a further three sets of traffic lights to try to resolve the situation. These were at the ratepayer's expense. Was this an "improvement"? Old London Road /Magpie Lane then became a sales pitch for car salesmen, resulting in the closure of the end of Magpie Lane and to stop the rat-runners.
Another "improvement"? Planners - please plan. Do we really need another London Road development?

“Not only is this an excellent opportunity to regenerate this former garage site and bring it back to use but we look forward to investing in the area, creating new jobs, serving local people and becoming part of the community.”

ImpeturbableLawrence wrote:

“Not only is this an excellent opportunity to regenerate this former garage site and bring it back to use but we look forward to investing in the area, creating new jobs, serving local people and becoming part of the community.”

As soon as they've closed down the costcutter - it's almost NEXT DOOR - a small Afghan family store and the Tesco consumer giant.

Scarletto wrote:
A bit of good news for us but bad news for Costcutter.

HairyJohn wrote:
I'm with X3SGR on this, about time too.

The Tesco will have a proper entrance and car park, unlike the Costcutter whose customers just dump their cars where they feel like causing obstructions on the road and pavement. And it is probably going to be mostly passing trade, so people driving through that area anyway. Traffic issues will certainly get no worse.

it is probably going to be mostly passing trade,

Peter Scott-Wilds wrote:
Hurray for Tesco! Their car parking, etc will certainly be more 'up to scratch' then what is currently around that area. I for one will certainly be shopping in that place.

People will vote with their feet if its overpriced then there are other outlets to choose from. The end consumer will benefit through more choice and make the likes of Costcutter take more notice.

hm1 wrote:
More jobs? Really? What about the THREE Costcutters within a mile that are likely to shut down, plus the numerous independent corner shops in the vicinity that will be impacted.

And do we really need more traffic here - one of the most ridiculously unmanaged, congested areas in the town.

I just honestly don't see how there is a business case to put another shop, be it Tesco or anyone else, on this site.

ImpeturbableLawrence wrote:

ImpeturbableLawrence wrote:

“Not only is this an excellent opportunity to regenerate this former garage site and bring it back to use but we look forward to investing in the area, creating new jobs, serving local people and becoming part of the community.”

As soon as they've closed down the costcutter - it's almost NEXT DOOR - a small Afghan family store and the Tesco consumer giant.

A better investment in the community would be to put houses there - there is a 24 hour Tesco's a mile or so down the road.

hm1 wrote:

ImpeturbableLawrence wrote:

ImpeturbableLawrence wrote:

“Not only is this an excellent opportunity to regenerate this former garage site and bring it back to use but we look forward to investing in the area, creating new jobs, serving local people and becoming part of the community.”

As soon as they've closed down the costcutter - it's almost NEXT DOOR - a small Afghan family store and the Tesco consumer giant.

A better investment in the community would be to put houses there - there is a 24 hour Tesco's a mile or so down the road.

There's a Tesco Express a mile and a half away, an M&S food about a stones throw and 2 major tescos about 2-3 miles east and west. The whole point is we don't need another anything!

Wycombe Marshall wrote:
What a bunch of Nay sayers.

I live in the area and I will use the store.

I have lived near a Tesco express previously and they are a significant improvement on Costscutters and corner shops. Who on the whole provide low quality food.

The effect on local stores argument falls down if they provide rubish, they need to up their game and provide quality that Tesco's etc cant provide on mass.

And no one seems to mention that the site at present looks horendous, and needs to be regenerated. I have no doubt that it will improve the area.

Wycombe Marshall wrote:
What a bunch of Nay sayers.

I live in the area and I will use the store.

I have lived near a Tesco express previously and they are a significant improvement on Costscutters and corner shops. Who on the whole provide low quality food.

The effect on local stores argument falls down if they provide rubish, they need to up their game and provide quality that Tesco's etc cant provide on mass.

And no one seems to mention that the site at present looks horendous, and needs to be regenerated. I have no doubt that it will improve the area.

no one seems to mention that the site at present looks horendous, and needs to be regenerated. I have no doubt that it will improve the area.

ImpeturbableLawrence wrote:

HairyJohn wrote: I'm with X3SGR on this, about time too. The Tesco will have a proper entrance and car park, unlike the Costcutter whose customers just dump their cars where they feel like causing obstructions on the road and pavement. And it is probably going to be mostly passing trade, so people driving through that area anyway. Traffic issues will certainly get no worse.

.

it is probably going to be mostly passing trade,

So it won’t be of benefit to local people then.

hm1 wrote:

Wycombe Marshall wrote:
What a bunch of Nay sayers.

I live in the area and I will use the store.

I have lived near a Tesco express previously and they are a significant improvement on Costscutters and corner shops. Who on the whole provide low quality food.

The effect on local stores argument falls down if they provide rubish, they need to up their game and provide quality that Tesco's etc cant provide on mass.

And no one seems to mention that the site at present looks horendous, and needs to be regenerated. I have no doubt that it will improve the area.

I live in the area too and will not be using the store. I want to encourage the stores that are there already to improve their businesses rather than put them out of business by buying overpriced, over packaged food from Tesco.

The site does need regenerating. how about a Sure Start centre, a playground, an extra car park to relieve some pressure on the roads around the area or any number of other ideas that could encourage community atmosphere.

hm1 wrote:

esilvester wrote:
The junction needs improving and parking needs to be sorted out for existing businesses. I cant see the council footing the bill for that, so getting tesco to pay would make that possible.

Costcutter would take a hit as it's passing trade that is the opportunity for tescos, as opposed to local services. Something that the current parking makes impossible.

I can't see Tesco paying for the junction outside the retail park to be improved, and it is that insanity that needs addressing. takes a good 20minutes to get out of the park on a weekend lunch time.

Slacker wrote:
Since Sainsbury opened in Flackwell Heath some of the shops have lost 40% of business and the Budgens has lost I think close to 60% of business.

Add to that the chaos on the road that it has caused with sainsbury delivery lorries stacking up along double yellow lines waiting to go into that small car park, it is awful now.

Those affected shops are really struggling now thanks to the council approving it even though they were warned on the impact it would have. The council chose to believe the Sainsbury marketing line that it would enhance other shops.
Enahnce my backside.

Costcutter be warned. If Tesco go there they are finished.

Bounty8 wrote:

hm1 wrote:

Wycombe Marshall wrote:
What a bunch of Nay sayers.

I live in the area and I will use the store.

I have lived near a Tesco express previously and they are a significant improvement on Costscutters and corner shops. Who on the whole provide low quality food.

The effect on local stores argument falls down if they provide rubish, they need to up their game and provide quality that Tesco's etc cant provide on mass.

And no one seems to mention that the site at present looks horendous, and needs to be regenerated. I have no doubt that it will improve the area.

I live in the area too and will not be using the store. I want to encourage the stores that are there already to improve their businesses rather than put them out of business by buying overpriced, over packaged food from Tesco.

The site does need regenerating. how about a Sure Start centre, a playground, an extra car park to relieve some pressure on the roads around the area or any number of other ideas that could encourage community atmosphere.

I live in this area and commute to London, as I don't own a car a supermarket in this area is welcome addition to the other shops. Having lived in London where 'Express' and 'Local' stores are often next door to smaller independent stores each has to offer a niche market relying on each other to bring in trade. If the CostCutter is savy it will look into unique products Tesco cannot offer and pull in additional trade; those existing customers passionate about the store are obviously entitled to continue to shop there.
Does seem that Tesco are monopolising the town though.

If the CostCutter is savy it will look into unique products Tesco cannot offer

HairyJohn wrote:

ImpeturbableLawrence wrote:

HairyJohn wrote: I'm with X3SGR on this, about time too. The Tesco will have a proper entrance and car park, unlike the Costcutter whose customers just dump their cars where they feel like causing obstructions on the road and pavement. And it is probably going to be mostly passing trade, so people driving through that area anyway. Traffic issues will certainly get no worse.

.

it is probably going to be mostly passing trade,

So it won’t be of benefit to local people then.

I'd expect local people to walk there and not drive. How will that affect traffic and congestion?

Perhaps I should have said "It is probably going to be mostly passing trade who will park there, so people driving through the area anyway."

There may be a few local people who will still drive there, but we can't help them. Besides, they'd be the sort to drive to the Costcutter, so only an improvement in traffic flow will result.

There may be a few local people who will still drive there, but we can't help them. Besides, they'd be the sort to drive to the Costcutter, so only an improvement in traffic flow will result.