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Tesco gobbles up another pub
11:50am Tuesday 5th August 2008
Supermarket chain Tesco has bought another empty pub in Oxford as part of plans to open more stores in the city.
Its latest acquistion is the Fox and Hounds, in Abingdon Road, which the company wants to turn into a Tesco Express convenience store.
Tesco already has two supermarkets in Oxford - Tesco Metro, in Cowley Road, and a superstore at Oxford Retail Park, in Ambassador Avenue, Cowley - and bought the disused Friar pub, in Marston Road, Marston, in April, to create another Tesco Express.
Spokesman Juliette Bishop said: "Tesco can confirm that we have plans to redevelop the former Fox and Hounds Pub, in Abingdon Road, into a Tesco Express store.
"This is an excellent opportunity for a Tesco Express along the busy Abingdon Road, leading out of Oxford city centre.
"However, our plans are in the early stages at the moment."
The pub closed late last year.
Ms Bishop said the adjacent former petrol station site, which has been empty for years, was not part of its plans.
She could not give a timescale for when a shop might open and she said no talks with the city council's planning department had been held.
The store, at the junction with Weirs Lane, would be almost opposite the Nisa Local grocery shop and post office.
Mohammad Afzal, who has run the shop in Abingdon Road for more than 20 years, said: "It will badly affect my trade - not only my trade, but everybody else around it. We have got Sainsbury's down the road already.
"I would like to know why we need one down here. I think there's no need.
"The traffic in Abingdon Road is already very congested, so I think traffic-wise it will be a disaster too."
Reaction from people living in the area was mixed. Seventy-seven-year-old Bernice Morgan, who lives in Weirs Lane, said she would welcome the plans.
She said: "I think that would be lovely.
I'm an OAP and I can't go too far. The only shop we have got now is across Abingdon Road and I hate crossing that road.
"At the moment, I have to get a taxi to Cowley to go to Iceland, so this would be perfect."
But Elizabeth Laskar, who lives in Abingdon Road, was concerned about the potential impact on existing shops.
Ms Laskar, who is in her 30s, said: "I'm really into supporting local shops and if they put a Tesco there, it's going to put a lot of pressure on the local shop, which is a really nice community store. I would be the first to sign a petition against it."
Your Say YourOxford
anon, oxfordshire says...
12:12pm Tue 5 Aug 08
Janet, Oxford says...
12:23pm Tue 5 Aug 08
Al, says...
12:35pm Tue 5 Aug 08
People need to start drinking more to save our British pubs
r, east oxford says...
12:36pm Tue 5 Aug 08
As for the guy who owns the Nisa store, I have no sympathy. I once stood for 10 minuets to post some parcels as he stood at his counter talking to one of his mates. Only to be told by some else that he closed on Wednesdays.
ricky, oxford says...
12:39pm Tue 5 Aug 08
Mr Ison, England says...
12:44pm Tue 5 Aug 08
Alan Page, Guildford says...
12:46pm Tue 5 Aug 08
Corporate dictatorship here we come!!
capt.stout, oxford says...
1:03pm Tue 5 Aug 08
Al wrote:i agree with your comment Al because i cant do it all by myself HIC!
Another pub gone !
People need to start drinking more to save our British pubs
Tom, Oxford says...
1:24pm Tue 5 Aug 08
And The Fox and Hounds has been shut for ages, and its an eyesore, so no tears needed for that. Plus there's loads of nice pubs around Oxford anyway.
Tasha, Witney says...
1:38pm Tue 5 Aug 08
bifocal bill, oxford says...
1:48pm Tue 5 Aug 08
Janet wrote:how i agree we could definitely do with a tesco store in the city centre
Mark, we could actually do with a Tesco in the City Centre. Queues in the Westgate Sainsbury's now stretch right through the shop from around noon onwards and their smaller shop near Debenham's is equally crowded (and it offers a smaller range of items). M & S isn't sufficient competition. A Waitrose in the planned John Lewis store could have helped but the planners have decided that there is no requirement for another supermarket-type shop in the city centre. Madness.
me, oxford says...
2:35pm Tue 5 Aug 08
weatherman, says...
2:59pm Tue 5 Aug 08
Andrew, Oxford says...
3:51pm Tue 5 Aug 08
I always thought that site would be good for a Premier Inn, Ibis or Travel lodge budget hotel. It's less than 15 mins walk to Cornmarket, potential for plenty of undercroft parking, buses run every few minutes and Oxford is in pretty desperate need for quality affordable hotel accommodation.
Would probably require a building too tall for the locale to be economical though.
Imagine that a Tesco at that location will be very popular with P&R users who want to grab a few items before driving home.
Tom, says...
5:02pm Tue 5 Aug 08
Because your prices are too high.....
"I think there's no need"
translated....oh crap i now may have to lower my prices and not be so greedy.
I personally love when the likes of Tesco, ruin shops like the one that Mohammad Afzal runs.
Greed has a shelf life too.
Tom, says...
5:04pm Tue 5 Aug 08
Alan Page wrote:Alan i am happy to say it will not affect you, as a man who get all of his food via "meals on wheels".
The joys of "free market" (ho ho) Capitalism. Soon high streets will just have one supplier for every good. Corporate dictatorship here we come!!
Terry Chandler, Oxford says...
6:29pm Tue 5 Aug 08
nelliemosa, Oxford says...
6:51pm Tue 5 Aug 08
James Millar, abingdon Road says...
7:34pm Tue 5 Aug 08
Tom wrote:Because your prices are too high.....
"I would like to know why we need one down here?" Because your prices are too high..... "I think there's no need" translated....oh crap i now may have to lower my prices and not be so greedy. I personally love when the likes of Tesco, ruin shops like the one that Mohammad Afzal runs. Greed has a shelf life too.
They're not bad actually, not as bad as Tescos inflated local stores that's for sure. I sometimes shop there and I find their special offers to be fantastic!
translated....oh crap i now may have to lower my prices and not be so greedy.
Greedy? lol, Tescos, certainly aren't greedy. Are you a share holder?
I personally love when the likes of Tesco, ruin shops like the one that Mohammad Afzal runs.
Can't think why anyone would say that. You sound pretty bitter.
Greed has a shelf life too.
As does jealousy and bigotry, but unfortunately yours is in ample supply.
Do any of the other Tescos supporters actually live in the Abingdon road area? How would you feel if one was built on your door step?
Mr Ison, England says...
8:03pm Tue 5 Aug 08
Chris, Oxford says...
11:42pm Tue 5 Aug 08
r wrote:The planned store is a Tesco Express, sorry to disappoint but they only use baskets not trolleys!
Yippee even more abandoned shopping trolleys.
As for the guy who owns the Nisa store, I have no sympathy. I once stood for 10 minuets to post some parcels as he stood at his counter talking to one of his mates. Only to be told by some else that he closed on Wednesdays.
Alan Page, Guildford says...
12:25am Wed 6 Aug 08
Tom wrote:Perhaps you would prefer "Spliffs-r-us"?
Alan Page wrote: The joys of "free market" (ho ho) Capitalism. Soon high streets will just have one supplier for every good. Corporate dictatorship here we come!!Alan i am happy to say it will not affect you, as a man who get all of his food via "meals on wheels".
They say Cannabis makes people paranoid.
On the ball with you aren't they? All those freaky comments about Jews etc.
r, east oxford says...
7:25am Wed 6 Aug 08
Yippee, even more abandoned baskets, with wheels.
Can you imagine them, in all those front gardens and drive ways in Wier Lane.
Tom, says...
11:42am Wed 6 Aug 08
Alan Page wrote:Alan i am not a drug user,your head is clouded.
Tom wrote:Perhaps you would prefer "Spliffs-r-us"? They say Cannabis makes people paranoid. On the ball with you aren't they? All those freaky comments about Jews etc.Alan Page wrote: The joys of "free market" (ho ho) Capitalism. Soon high streets will just have one supplier for every good. Corporate dictatorship here we come!!Alan i am happy to say it will not affect you, as a man who get all of his food via "meals on wheels".
I am also a Jew and if you actually read my comments you would see i am a strong supporter of all Jews and Israel.
Dilligaf, Hell's Gate says...
11:51am Wed 6 Aug 08
Mr Ison, England says...
12:52pm Wed 6 Aug 08
Tom, says...
6:16pm Wed 6 Aug 08
Mr Ison wrote:
Lol,Tom said Jew.
One for you Andrew.....
Ed Zachary Disease
A woman was very distraught at the fact that she had not had a date or any sex in quite some time. She was afraid she might have something wrong with her, so she decided to seek the medical expertise of a sex therapist....Her doctor recommended that she see the well known Chinese sex therapist, Dr.Too Hung Lo. Upon entering the examination room, Dr. Too Hung Lo said, 'OK, take off all your crose.' The woman did as she was told.Now, get down and craw reery, reery fass to odder side of room.' again, the woman did as she was instructed..... Dr Too Hung Lo then said, 'OK, now craw reery, reery fass back to me.' she did. Dr.Too Hung Lo shook his head slowly and said, 'Your
probrem vewy bad. You haf Ed Zachary Disease. Worse case I ever see. Dat whyyou not haf sex or dates.' Worried, the woman asked anxiously, 'Oh my God, Dr., what is Ed Zachary Disease?'Dr. Too Hung Lo sighed deeply, and replied, 'Ed Zachary Disease is when yourface look Ed Zachary like your ****.'
Peter, oxford says...
8:23pm Wed 6 Aug 08
Of course, Tesco can probably keep the Sun shining all day if they really wanted to. Too bad McDonalds on the Botley road didn't also 'insist'
If anything the building work - extra drainage - extra sewage will in fact increase flooding in that area.
Jav, Abingdon Road says...
4:45am Thu 7 Aug 08
Tom, says...
9:50am Thu 7 Aug 08
Jav wrote:"your local shops"....
Is there a petition that is being organised against this move by tesco? they can't just open a Store where ever they can find a property can they? surely that would mean the end of your Local Corner shops and conveniece store, I know people perhaps don't like the Nisa Local Owners for various reason but if you are not against tesco opening the store you would be killing your local shops not to mension the Traffic problems that may come with this move and as if there wasn't already enough traffic problems on the abingdon road.
you mean the mainly asian ones who have been ripping us off for years with poor choice?.
All i know is that tesco local shops ARE cheaper than the greedy little men on our corners who have had it too good for too long.
Gabriel, Oxford says...
11:37am Thu 7 Aug 08
you mean the mainly asian ones who have been ripping us off for years with poor choice?.
All i know is that tesco local shops ARE cheaper than the greedy little men on our corners who have had it too good for too long.
Shalom Thomas. My brother there is no need to show your anger towards Asians or Muslims. Remember what Moses once said?
Tesco is a multimillion £ industry, in comparison this gentleman is a grain of rice.
le×hitra×ot Gabriel
Tom, says...
2:15pm Thu 7 Aug 08
Gabriel wrote:You are not my brother.
you mean the mainly asian ones who have been ripping us off for years with poor choice?. All i know is that tesco local shops ARE cheaper than the greedy little men on our corners who have had it too good for too long.Shalom Thomas. My brother there is no need to show your anger towards Asians or Muslims. Remember what Moses once said? Tesco is a multimillion £ industry, in comparison this gentleman is a grain of rice. le×hitra×ot Gabriel
"your anger towards Asians or Muslims".
I have neither.
Gabriel, Oxford says...
4:14pm Thu 7 Aug 08
I personally love when the likes of Tesco, ruin shops like the one that Mohammad Afzal runs.
you mean the mainly asian ones
I have neither.
I'm sorry Thomas. I thought you said these words? perhaps it was an asian impostor impersonating you?
le'hitra'ot Gabriel
Tom, says...
7:22pm Thu 7 Aug 08
Gabriel wrote:I cannot feel apologethic for saying they are greedy people .That does not mean i dislike them for who they are,just for how they behave.
I personally love when the likes of Tesco, ruin shops like the one that Mohammad Afzal runs.you mean the mainly asian onesI have neither.I'm sorry Thomas. I thought you said these words? perhaps it was an asian impostor impersonating you? le'hitra'ot Gabriel
I do not care if they were from Mars.
I used to work for a company who was very keen to show that it was fair to minorities,so they hired a gent called Michael,who was from Jamaica.His ever so nice boyfriend always dropped him off to work and even helped him into the wheelchair.
What a great company.
Tom, says...
8:19pm Thu 7 Aug 08
frances clifton, abingdon road oxford says...
9:13pm Thu 7 Aug 08
frances
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Mohammad Afzal, who runs the Nisa Local shop
Mark L, Oxford says...
12:05pm Tue 5 Aug 08