Tesco announces date for opening new shop in Coulsdon
by Gareth Davies
gareth.davies@essnmedia.co.uk
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NEW ARRIVAL: Christine Samson, from Croydon Business, who is responsible for Coulsdon's regeneration, pictured in front of the former Woolworths store. The photo shows how the Tesco Express might look
Coulsdon's new Tesco store is to open on February 24, the supermarket giant confirmed this week.
Work has already begun on transforming the old Woolworths in Chipstead Valley Road into a Tesco Express.
And traders are predicting business will be boosted in the town in 2010, with the new retailer moving in and the £3 million town centre improvement works finishing.
Road resurfacing and wider pavements formed part of the project to make the town more attractive.
Amanda Davis, owner of I Woman clothing store, in Chipstead Valley Road, welcomed the new retailer.
She said: "It's nice to have empty shops filled, no matter who comes in.
"When shops are empty there is not enough choice to attract people to Coulsdon – and that affects everyone.
"We have had a busy Christmas, more so than last year, which is really promising. There's certainly cause for optimism."
"While our Tesco will not be on the same scale as the one in Purley at least it gives people an alternative."
Traders hope this year will be a welcome change to 2009 when some businesses thought they might have to close because so many shoppers deserted the town after roadworks – which were needed to carry out the improvements – began last summer.
The council said this work has now come to an end and the existing works and disruption are down to Tesco's preparations for its new store.
Alan Harris, owner of Coulsdon Home Hardware, in Chipstead Valley Road, said: "Tesco is on its way and the roadworks are on their way out – soon we will have our town back.
"Tesco will be a real boost for the town."
"The store in Purley pulls in customers from far and wide. When ours is up and running it will have the same impact here.
"The numbers of shoppers on the high street will increase which can only be good news."
But David Rothburg, chairman of Coulsdon West Residents Association, said Tesco should not be seen as the town's economic saviour.
He explained: "Tesco's arrival will liven up the town centre, but I don't think it's enough to compete with our main rivals (Banstead and Wallington) who have a bigger range of stores.
"It is, however, a step in the right direction."
Pay and display machines that were due to be installed in parts of the town centre, including Brighton Road and Windermere Road, in December are now expected to be in place by January 18 after the plan was delayed by bad weather.
2 Comments
by jackie, Old Coulsdon
Wednesday, January 13 2010, 8:03PM
“This is going to be genuinely welcome in Coulsdon, as since the Co-Op went a lot of people who can't afford or want to go to Waitrose - who have the monolopy there- will use it. I for one will. All we need now is no roadworks and some parking!
It also means more much needed employment in the area as it has dwindled of late and hopefully will help keep existing business alive by creating more footfall.”
by Rachael, herenthere
Tuesday, January 12 2010, 12:50PM
“Nice to see that something is finally being done in Coulsdon, but I have to say that I think Alan Harris is slightly deluded to say that it will have the same effect on Coulsdon as the bigstore does in Purley - that's a major superstore, with competitive pricing - this will be an Express, not much different to a convenience store, so therefore more expensive than the larger stores!
Still - at least with the shops open and doing business, it won't look quite so much like a ghost town!”