Row over estate agency move in Oldfield Park
Campaigner June Player is trying to mobilise opposition to plans to convert a shop into an estate agency office in Oldfield Park.
But the firm behind the plans insists the move will not damage the area’s retail heart - and that it is itself a vital part of the Moorland Road community.
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Pullin Knight, which already has an office the street, applied for planning permission earlier this year to take over the store.
The application was rejected by B&NES Council due to the adverse affect the loss of a shop would have on the vitality and viability of the road, but Pullin Knight has now appealed.
Mrs Player - who has long campaigned to protect the shopping area - said she was concerned that the make-up of the street was finely balanced.
She said: “The last couple of years have seen change in the balance of shops, but it does still manage to flourish and attract locals and non-locals alike.
“However, should this balance be tipped any more in favour of professional and financial services, then Moorland Road will lose its attraction and the footfall will reduce to the extent that more and more traders will be forced out.
“There are already a lot of estate agents in this row and there is absolutely no need to have a shop changed to become another one.”
She said the section of the road was already quieter: “Once this section dies off to shoppers, it will then affect the footfall further up the road and so Moorland Road as a shopping area will cease to be.”
She has urged any residents who share her views to object to the appeal.
However Pullin Knight director Adam Knight said the business whose store it wanted to take over was relocating to another spot in Moorland Road, and that the new premises would be a replacement for its existing office which would be closing.
He said the firm agreed that Moorland Road should remain as a strong shopping centre.
“We are lucky in Moorland Road to have some very good shops who only survive by offering a first class service and an excellent product.
“However, supermarkets mean that centres like Moorland Road have seen a reduction in retail uses and more cafes, bars and offices appear.
“This trend has kept people coming to Moorland Road.”
He said most people now did their main grocery shopping in supermarkets and visited Moorland Road for the range of speciality facilities and shops it offered, a trend likely to strengthen if Tesco get permission for a supermarket at the old Bath Press site.
Mr Knight added: “Most traders in Moorland Road recognise the huge challenges we face. As a local family firm, we have worked hard in the middle of a recession to build a successful business. Over 50 per cent of the people we employ live within two miles of Moorland Road, and our customers certainly do.
“It is a shame that a growing local business has not received the support it might expect to maintain and grow in Moorland Road.”
Anyone wishing to object or support the appeal can email Fiona Dunn at teamp11@pins.gsi.gov.uk quoting the appeal reference number APP/F0114/A/10/2132322/NWF by tomorrow.
15 Comments
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by Elmleydrinker, out in the sticks...
Thursday, September 02 2010, 9:17AM
“Good points Dave, but it seems that enterprising retailers are about; I see the old florist is to become a milkshake & smoothie bar. Yum-yum-yum and hurrah, say I!”
by Dave, Weston
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 10:16PM
“I wonder if this fight will in hindsight be seen as such a good idea in 12 months time. If the unit is taken up instead by another retailer, preferably a specialist that draws people to Moorland Road who then take advantage of other shops then I think it will prove to be a good thing.
On the other hand if the unit remains empty, or in some way detracts from what is there or competes with existing stores in a way that weakens both, then it might have been better to allow this change of use.
It may be the case that Pullin Knight expect to benefit more from passing trade generated by others than they expect to generate in their own right for others to benefit from, but it is also true that something is better than nothing particularly if Tesco does come to fruition and Moorland Road needs to retain its atmosphere of being open, active and vibrant. In the current climate it may be a big gamble hoping that somewhere is a retailer just waiting for a vacant unit.”
by Tony, Bath
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 7:37PM
“In a recession we should be encouraging small businesses not hindering them. Usual storm in a teacup nonsense - bit like western riverside, look how many jobs that would have created if the council could get their act together. Please lets encourage enterprise!”
by June Player, Bath
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 4:52PM
“Sorry JM but you have misunderstood the situation. The estate agent is NOT relocating within the same street. It wants to relocate TO it and be one building away from its other one. As to the renaming of a local pub. I did, with others, fight to save it from becoming housing. Having 'won' this we did not then expect a local couple, who had never helped to save the pub, to change its name when they took over its management. Changing its name had absolutely no bearing on its success or failure, that was up to the managers. This pub has now been closed for about 5 months and is rumoured to be for sale!! As to your '......in what capacity does she speak...', I speak as a concerned local resident who does not want to see the demise of Moorland Road. If you do not go along with this that is fair enough, but you do not have to be so thouroughly nasty just because I picked up on a point of yours. Thank you JC and Wolf for your comments, made even more pleasant as I do not know you!”
by Elmleydrinker, out in the sticks
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 12:41PM
“Ah, not the last speaker then, last but one...”