Trader fears closure amid rumours Tesco is moving to Woodside
By Cherry Wilson
cherry.wilson@essnmedia.co.uk
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NO TO TESCO: Anil Patel outside The Beehive with his petition
A struggling shop owner fears Britain's biggest supermarket chain is about to move into Woodside - and is worried it could mean the death of his business.
Anil Patel, owner of the Londis store, on Woodside Green, believes a Tesco Express is going to be built just doors away from his store, which he claims will be "the final nail in the coffin".
Croydon Council has received a planning application from Asprey Homes to demolish The Beehive pub and replace it with a retail unit along with five flats, eight houses and parking.
And rumours are rife that Tesco could be the business moving into the retail side of the development.
The supermarket giant already has eight stores within two miles of Woodside Green.
Mr Patel, 52, has objected to the proposals and started a petition on December 4, which picked up more than 400 signatures in its first four days.
"We are not happy," he said, from his shop which he has owned for 19 years. "Like everyone we are feeling the pinch.
"The last thing we want is a major high street store coming in and threatening struggling businesses.
"The recession has affected us really badly. The last year was the worst year we have ever had. I've never seen anything like it. It's affected us tremendously.
"I wouldn't be able to compete with a Tesco Express. I would have to consider what I would do next. I think it would be the final nail in the coffin."
Mr Patel says shopkeepers on Woodside Green would welcome a business which would benefit all local traders and bring more shoppers to the area.
But he believes that smaller stores would be swallowed up by a new Tesco and force several businesses to close down.
"A butcher's, greengrocer's or a chemist's would bring something new to the green," he said.
"Most of our customers have been very loyal. They have said that they support local businesses and I have been surprised by the number of signatures we have had on the petition.
"This area is like a village. We don't need another supermarket here."
Croydon Council is expected to make a decision on the planning application in January.
A Tesco spokeswoman said that the company would not comment on planning applications that were not submitted under its name.
15 Comments
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by WelshandProud, Woodside
Thursday, March 18 2010, 10:42AM
“lets see what happens this time... plans have been resubmitted.”
by Mark Johnson (Woodside Conservatives Action Team), Woodside
Monday, January 11 2010, 1:24PM
“Great News!!!
Planning Application turned down!!!
I have been keeping an eye on this for well over a month and have been in contact with senior Cllrs within the Conservative Administration to make sure that the views of local people were properly represented. Coucil officers decided that the development was too big and out of keeping with the local area, so rightly turned it down. They were issues over access and parking as well as many others (full list on the planning pages of the council website).
Labour government guidelines on planning mean that if the developers appeal against the councils decision there is a chance that we may still end up with this development still being built. Hopefully this will not be the case, (I hope they don't appeal and realise the strength of local feeling).
I will keep an eye on this over the comming months to make sure that government pen pushers do not try and force this on local people against their wishes.”
by reshma, Woodside
Saturday, January 09 2010, 9:02PM
“It is disgusting to think the tesco, if the do build, could be so irrisponsable. No one in this area will appeciate a tesco in the area. we are a very tight knit community who like to help each other. We would be horrified to know that small businesses would have to close down.
I totally object to such a silly move. We will NEVER let this happen”
by Karen, South Norwood
Saturday, January 09 2010, 6:21PM
“Mark you cannot make comments that are misleading and then decide the issue is closed. I did not say I lived in the ward I said I lived 10 mins walk from it which is a lot different than your comment to where my home is. Cllr Newman lives off Birchanger Rd, which runs off Woodside Green, so the comment you made about him is also factually incorrect. I also know not all of Woodside is SE25 I was making the point that I live in the area and work in Woodside Ward, nothing more and nothing less.
I did not write on here in reply to your comment, I have re read what we both said in the first instance and can see nothing written by me that undermines anything you said. All local residents are entitled to stick up for their area, that is everyone¿s democratic right and I for one will fight for that regardless of political stance.
As for bringing up the Councillors allowance, I receive the smallest amount paid to Councillors, it is paid to all parties although some like the Leader and Cabinet Members are paid more. It is accepted by all, including your party the Conservatives. Everyone knows this and it only makes you sound petty, if you ever get elected will you decide not to accept it. Will you pay your own landline phone bill, mobile phone bill, printing paper, envelopes, stamps, travel costs etc? No one in either party should have to do this and that is why allowances to cover it was agreed on both sides of the political chamber.
As I said before and I will repeat I am sorry you took offence at my comment but you cannot make remarks and decide there is no place for a reply. I do not know you Mark so I feel to make personal comments about you or what you do in the ward would be wrong and totally disrespectful. This issue of the Beehive Pub has wider implications for planning all over Woodside that is why it should be everyone¿s issue and not one particular party.”
by Mark Johnson (Woodside Conservatives Action Team), Woodside
Thursday, January 07 2010, 1:17PM
“Trying to twist my words. I was saying that you and your fellow cllrs saying that you offer good representation to Woodside is a joke. And that you only got involved after I had posted on here which goes to show what an insult your so called 'representation' is. I also said you don't live in Woodside ward which you don't, so another Labour lie. SE25 is big place, not all of woodside is SE25 either, which goes to show how very little you know about the area you are supposed to represent.
I visited Mr Patel because unlike you or Tony Newman, I live very close by and use the shop several times a week. I unlike you care about Woodside as it is the community I live in. You only care about your £11.5k a year allowance.
I will continue to help my community as often as I can.
I consider this matter closed.”