Forum Topic

Waitrose not coming to Acton

Hot off the presses: Told this evening (at Acton town meeting) that Waitrose have decided not to come to The Oaks. Supposedly this is not because of Acton itself, but because Waitrose have rethought their policy on large stores. Instead they're looking for locations where they can put some of their small shops (Acton may eventually get one of those).So now we're going to get the abomination that is the new Oaks without even a Waitrose to sugar the pill.The developers have told the council that they want to put 2 or 3 retail premises in the part of The Oaks that Waitrose was to have filled. Don't know what this will do to the design – will we lose the pathway from C'field Road to the High St (which was supposed to go through the entrance to Waitrose)?The council said that they were working to make sure that not just any shop would fill that space. But I don't think they have any power in this arena.

Nancy Duin ● 3765d84 Comments

If the Waitrose site has the space for 2-3 retailers how about Poundstretcher, Sports Direct and Peacocks?

Andrew OSullivan ● 3749d

There have been several planning applications for a drive-through Macdonalds at the junction of Western Avenue and Leamington Park. None have been approved. The latest refusal was due to conflict with the proposed cycle superhighway and the refusal is being appealed against. Probably no decision until late summer at the earliest.

Simon Derbyshire ● 3753d

Jean,a Mcdonalds Drive through is planned for Leaminton parkarea western avenue,we already have one in Acton,one will not be coming to the Oaks,pay and display car parking drive through would not work,a KFC yes,I for one wish the Oaks had stayed as it was,as I am sure most other people feel the same,we will wait and see what comes,it all should have been left alone?

Dr John Stolworthy D.Sc ● 3754d

I thought there was already a McDonalds planned for the Leamington Road A40 triangle

Bob Crossley ● 3754d

Most drive-thous are not town centre located. And they would need substantial changes to the planning permission. I am not panicking yet.

Sara Nathan ● 3754d

I sincerely hope you are joking, the last thing Acton needs is a McDonalds, drive through or otherwise!We need a decent supermarket but the way things are going I shan't hold my breath!

Jean F Fernandez ● 3754d

The old McDonald site is to be re-developed so it makes sense to move close by.

Peter Savick ● 3754d

I wish I was, Tony.

Peter Savick ● 3754d

I really hope you are winding us up Peter!!

Tony Crumpton ● 3754d

The developers are considering a 'Drive thru McDonalds', to go with the '7 storey Ealing social housing block'.I jest you not.

Peter Savick ● 3754d

James,  are you not familiar with Morrisons?  It's a huge cheap supermarket in the heart of Acton.Maybe something a bit different would also benefit Acton rather than another large cheap supermarket?

Georgiana Eliot ● 3754d

And the champagne socialists will shop at Waitrose in West Ealing whilst celebrating the diversity of pauperized Acton.

Robert Murray ● 3755d

I think it's pretty self-apparent Carl. The wealthy minority stomp their feet like children demanding a luxury supermarket, when the majority of paupers in Acton would be better served with a shop that helps provides the basic building blocks of sustinence at a low price.

James Moore ● 3756d

That's fine by e John, I am sure you are not bothered either! LOL

Jean F Fernandez ● 3756d

Jean,It would seem that we have become Famous,or infamous?

Dr John Stolworthy D.Sc ● 3757d

What exactly makes them " greedy" James?Carl

Carl Tamboli ● 3757d

A Waitrose? Have you taken a walk down Acton High St recently? A halal butcher, schelp or foodbank would better serve the local population, not a Waitrose for the greedy ciabatta munching minority.

James Moore ● 3757d

Do you two have an in-joke here? :)

Julian Smith ● 3760d

Jean,the pen is mighty than the sword !!!!!!

Dr John Stolworthy D.Sc ● 3760d

John knows exactly what I meant!

Jean F Fernandez ● 3760d

Does the good command of the English language mean you don't have to "refert to profinities" or resort to profanities?Doesn't it always happen when being assertive about use of English?

Sara Nathan ● 3760d

John thankfully if one has a good command of the English language then it is not necessary to refert to profinities.

Jean F Fernandez ● 3760d

Very well said,Jean others would have put in old English Anglo terminology!!!!!

Dr John Stolworthy D.Sc ● 3760d

In other words we have been done up like a kipper!

Jean F Fernandez ● 3761d

Oh come on!The two schemes are wholly distinct - the town hall being funded by the building of many new apartments there - that's just happening. One had absolutely nothing to do with the other. And the town hall scheme - which was shaved of almost all its social content and on which the council stood by none of the commitments made in the consultation, was a done deal before the Oaks was mooted.

Sara Nathan ● 3761d

Sorry, Sara, but from what I saw at the last planning meeting, when the final vote was held these were not gullible people - and as a Labour voter, it pains me to say this - but people very much on the make and intent on pushing something through that was obviously very dodgy.  When I attended this meeting, I had no idea who was who or what their affiliations were, and as the meeting went on and it became apparent to me, I was horrified.  Not only that a Labour councilor would announce "We don't want social housing - it brings social problems" but that the Tory councilors were the ones asking the incisive questions and being realistic about the Waitrose commitment (citing past experience with promises by other chains.  And all the whileg the pro-tower contingent bumbled their way through - including the infamous traffic officer who, after two attempts to show the how lorries would get in, had to admit he'd brought the wrong slides.  It was a presentation so shambolic it wouldn't have convinced a five year-old, but the Labour councilors voted it right through. It stank - I said it was a disgrace at the time and now it's revealed as doubly so.

Adam Kimmel ● 3761d

The council now have well over £100 million in reserves - and what about the money made from selling off Acton Town Hall for residential? If I hear one more person defending the actions of this thoroughly rotten council I think I'm going to scream!

Julian Smith ● 3761d

I'm sure Ealing councillors are just as disappointed by Waitrose pulling out of the Oaks scheme. And if the Oaks site had been left as it was and not sold to the developers there wouldn't have been any money to build the new Acton baths and leisure centre across the road.

Peter Evans ● 3761d

Original directors of the scheme were Levy and his finance director at Spurs..I think they have passed on the directorships...but it is definitely that mob.

Charlie Mawer ● 3761d

@ Paul Webster, Joe Lewis; Lewis made his fortune as a currency speculator and best known as one of the men, alongside George Soros, who forced the pound out of the EU's exchange rate mechanism in 1992.Mr Lewis is the main owner of Spurs and Daniel Levy's (chairman) Godfather. Perhaps Acton residents could lobby them, surely such wealthy and powerful men could do without negative publicity over such an insignificant project, to them, as  this?

Peter Savick ● 3761d

Does anyone know the person behind the scheme to see if we can get any sort of dialogue?A quick check of data from Companies House shows:Acton Regeneration Company Ltd Parent - Rapallo Ltd (seems to be a small clothing and fashion company that has branched out into property)Majority of shares in Rapallo controlled by Kenwood International Inc, owned by Kenwood Trust (one or both of which are registered in Bermuda) with the controlling party listed as "Mr J Lewis" (presumably a coincidence and unrelated to John Lewis, owners of Waitrose).

Paul Webster ● 3761d

I'm a little surprised people are surprised that Waitrose aren't coming. I never thought it would happen. Personally I don't rate Waitrose and would much rather a simply food M&S. Failing that Lidl or Aldi would likely keep Morrisons on their toes which can only be a good thing. I remember them building the Oaks and putting a load of largely useless shops into a newer wrapper. Likely we may see the same again.

Carl Tamboli ● 3761d

I think it's the only way Sara. But it must be broader in membership than just residents' associations (RAs) - because these do not have sufficient membership here in Ealing, and as far as I can see don't exist in any great number to the west of the borough. Save Ealing's Centre, which I'm involved with, is a collection of most of the RAs in that area. It is still ignored by the council... To be effective we would have to draw support across many groups representing different demographics. This is not easy, but if we don't then all the things we hate will just carry on happening. Politicians say what they need to say to get elected - then they don't do what they promised - we all know this - so as a community why are we so apathetic about saying "Here is my neighbour, he/she is a good and trustworthy person who listens to me and who I trust. I will vote for him/her and I want you to get to know him/her and vote the same way as well". Isn't that what representation supposed to be about? I know we need a structure to organise all of this - but there has to be an indication of desire from enough people first -because it is hard work!

Julian Smith ● 3762d

The Oaks Action group always said it wasn't a done deal and would never come to fruition but was pure PR spin to buy off local opposition. And were contradicted authoritatively, of course, by all the interested parties.Back to the Residents Party, Julian - as In Epsom?

Sara Nathan ● 3762d

I'm inclined to agree with Andy. The issue here is the presentation of it as a 'done deal' by the developer and our council previously - when it was obviously anything but. The lesson to be learnt is that property developments must be judged as a building. If the building is wrong for the location then what is put in it will never change that. This development was clearly wrong from the start. Planning and 'regeneration' is now the most important thing that our local councils do. We have less than two years to get organised and to install councillors who will act how we want. In my opinion this requires that we elect councillors without any party-political ties. Only by doing this will we be able to control the actions of the civil servants running Ealing council - and remove key ones who are responsible for the destruction of our built environment...

Julian Smith ● 3762d

The idea that Waitrose would compromise their brand just as some sort of convoluted back-scratching exercise is preposterous. The operating environment has been very tough for several years and 2015 profits took a tumble. The indications are that 2016 has seen further challenges.With a corporate structure that means that profits are shared among staff and bonuses at already low levels the John Lewis Partnership has to look very carefully at new investments as a new store isn't likely to trade profitably for the first couple of years.

Andy Jones ● 3762d

I do hope it is a Lidl. Maybe it is a good thing Waitrose are not coming after all. You really can get some excellent choice, i think they would be a breath of fresh air and something different from the usual suspects. Suiting both the well heeled and the less well heeled of Acton. Is there some way we could try to get them to locate themselves in the Oaks.

Jerry Byrne ● 3762d

Probably just gullible and out of their league -they didn't go to the right schools or join the right clubs - nor do they play golf as far as I know.

Sara Nathan ● 3762d

Spot on Sarah, perhaps we could add Ealing council officials to that cosy arrangement.

Peter Savick ● 3762d

We know perfectly well they were never going to do so. I suspect one of the directors must belong to the same club/play golf with/went to school with one of the developers and did a "you scratch my back and help out a chum" deal. That seems to be the norm.

Sara Nathan ● 3762d

I had a nice email from Waitrose Customer Services, sadly the message was the same - unfortunately they will NOT be opening a supermarket in Acton.Perhaps a smaller shop in Acton some time in the future.

Jean F Fernandez ● 3762d

So all of those accused of being "Nimbys" for wanting more for Acton than a gated tower block and a vague promise of Waitrose's focaccia were right all along?Crikey, and it was only a year ago that some hedge fund dealer on a bike told a local that it was a done deal.

Adam Kimmel ● 3763d

Hate to say it's all marketing bo**ocks but it obviously is, isn't it?

Sara Nathan ● 3763d

Yes John, I'm afraid somebody shot the horse!!!

Jean F Fernandez ● 3763d

Acton is now a one horse town,sorry like the High Street the horse is Dead?

Dr John Stolworthy D.Sc ● 3763d

This is what they have told me on Facebook: It is with regret that Waitrose is no longer in a position to progress with plans to lease the supermarket unit which forms part of the redevelopment of The Oaks Shopping Centre in Acton Chris. Waitrose retains the hope that we will have the opportunity to return to Acton in the future.I asked them why they had changed their mind, they replied:We have worked hard with the Acton Regeneration Company (ARC) to find a solution that would enable us to move forward with the plans for a full size supermarket, but sadly the well documented changes in trading conditions across the sector and rising costs have conspired against us.I then asked about them renting one of the smaller units. They replied: We have explored the possibility of a small convenience store in its place, but its location at the rear of a shopping centre is more conducive to a larger shop for customers travelling by car, rather than a smaller store which is designed for a high street location to serve basket shoppers travelling by foot. Waitrose retains the hope that we will have the opportunity to return to Acton in the future

Chris Hurley ● 3763d

DONT PANIC EVERYONE.FORTNUM AND MASON'S ARE COMING INSTEAD, ALONG WITH PETER JONES.THATS ALL ACCORDING TO THE DEVELOPERS AND EALING COUNCIL..

Peter Savick ● 3763d

Another blow to Actons high street . Without a high quality retailer as an anchor tenant the new Oaks will become a wasteland and not dissimilar to the old centre . Looks like Chiswick will remain the go to place if you live in Acton...very disappointing

Peter Truesdale ● 3763d

I've heard that new shops the developers have lined up will be 'the 97p shop', 'Coin Casino' and 'Cut price Cigz'.  It's going to be classy!

Rick Collinge ● 3763d

Waitrose would have raised the standing of Acton disproportionaly. Acton's face to outsiders is it's dismal High Street. Pleasant residential areas go unseen. Those with higher spending power would be more inclined to shop locally improving the area for all. Now we are to remain more Southall than Chiswick. For 30 years I have heard how Acton is about to improve, during which time previously dreadful areas like Dalston have become 'trendy'.

Robert Murray ● 3763d

What other supermarket has a similar profile to Waitrose? Perhaps best to look for a few shops covering some of the good things Waitrose does - a decent organic shop for one thing. Really the issue is overall provision of good shops - the reason Waitrose would have been good is that it acts as a sort of catalyst. Whereas I think other supermarkets (like Tesco) just seem to suck custom away from surrounding businesses. Maybe I'm looking at this with rather rose tinted glasses - and am now preparing to dodge (virtual) missiles ;)

Julian Smith ● 3763d

On the article it does state that a supermarket with a similar profile to Waitrose will open?

Lucy Hewitt ● 3763d

Well somebody voted for your Labour Councillor, or was the election rigged in some way?Bogus postal votes may be?Husbands ordering their wives to vote Labour when they did not know what they were voting for?

Dee Cook ● 3763d

I agree with you John. The Cinderella Borough!I have just written to Waitrose about their decision not to open in Acton.

Jean F Fernandez ● 3764d

Jean,Acton has always been the poor relation in Ealing,as I was a long term resident of Acton,we were better off as theBorough of Acton.

Dr John Stolworthy D.Sc ● 3764d

Tony, I think the only time you will hear from these councillors is when they want your vote at the next election!I hope people remember who badly Acton has been neglected and how we have been stitched up next time there is an election!

Jean F Fernandez ● 3764d

Well there you go we have all been totally stitched up. Bring on the day when Acton is divorced from this corrupt Ealing Council.We have lost all the Shops which were quite convenient and now have a Ghost Town of a High Street.Not one word from our local Labour Councillors on the subject I see.

Tony Crumpton ● 3764d

The Oaks was a dump as it was and a sensible redevelopment of the area should have been as easy as 1,2,3.  What a bloody mess and as Charlie and I have both said above, Waitrose were NEVER signed up and it was just a silly diversion to get everyone excited about the plans which are overwhelming, inappropriate and a complete waste of what could have been an enhancement to Acton.

Anne Brown ● 3764d

The type of shops that will take up the leases on the new shops will be reflective on the type of residents who will be living above them.

Dee Cook ● 3764d

To get the custom back to this centre will take time,no retailer will want to venture into a unknown area,of may or maybe,the Oaks was fine as it was,should have been left alone,I have seen the plans of the new development,monstrous,out of keeping with the area,getting in and out of Churchfield Road will be a nightmare?

Dr John Stolworthy D.Sc ● 3764d

How many if the flats above the development will be for:social housing andprivate sale???

Dee Cook ● 3764d

If the developer has told the Council that they will use the space for 2 or 3 retail units and Waitrose have decided that they will concentrate on smaller shops, then why are Waitrose not taking up one of these proposed smaller units?

Maria Pettit ● 3764d

So dreary Acton is to remain a festering dump.  Wouldn't put it past Julian Bell to re-introduce Soapsuds laundry's. Even a cement plant.Just glad I shop Waitrose on-line.

Sylvia Kidd ● 3764d

This is most disappointing, although not surprising. I would have been more surprised if they HAD decided to come to Acton. We need to lobby now for some decent shops to come -  why not M&S - they are in a petrol station near where my daughter lives, so why not a lovely new shopping centre??

Chris Hurley ● 3764d

Roll on the next elections

Dr John Stolworthy D.Sc ● 3764d

Hear Hear Charlie !

Jean F Fernandez ● 3764d

Hate to say I told you so...but the campaign against the abomination that is the new development said from the start that Waitrose was a Julian Bell trojan horse to bolster support. The Southall Labour councillor block vote that forced this sorry mess onto Acton won't care a jot, and we were failed spectacularly by the Central and Eastern Lab ward councillors. Remember this when it comes to the next elections. It is the only power we have. Time for Acton to free itself from the bloated mega borough and claim self determination.

Charlie Mawer ● 3764d

I agree with you Lucy, shopping in dreary Acton High Street is not something I look forward to so I mostly shop in Ealing Broadway. It is such a shame as our High Street could be really welcoming if only we had some decent shops.Too many bookmakers and estate agents for a start. I doubt whether M&S would actually want to come here, but a good quality store is desperately needed.We don't even have a clothes shop, a shoe shop, and yes I would also welcome the Poundland back. The shops selling fruit and vegetables are OK just as long as they try and keep the pavements free from rotting fruit. Some days discarded boxes of fruit are lying on the pavement awaiting disposal, it all looks a mess.Give us a reason to actually want to spend time browsing in the shops along Acton High Street - we have some way to go before that happens.

Jean F Fernandez ● 3764d

I was very dubious. The word 'sustainable' merits some reflection. The National Planning Policy Framework has a 'presumption in favour of sustainable development' - this appears to be interpreted by Ealing council as a 'presumption in favour of ANY development', ignoring any of the other important factors. What does sustainable mean to participants on this forum?Because the accusation levelled at anyone opposing a given development is that they don't want any development - are in fact some sort of NIMBY. I think we need to start telling the council what sort of development we do want. We need to do this before we are presented with inappropriate applications or consultations. The 'consultations' are nothing of the sort - because developers and planners have already had many cosy little chats whether in 'pre-planning' or at MIPIM (paid for by the developer) during which they have agreed what is going to be built. We need to wake up. And we absolutely need to stop arguing amongst ourselves and missing the common enemy who is sitting up in Perceval House and laughing at us

Julian Smith ● 3764d

If Waitrose won't open in Acton, I highly doubt M&S will. The most we can probably hope for is an Lidl or Aldi. Personally i'd like Poundland back! The one is Ealing is fantastic. It's such a shame that Acton High Street is such a dump. Having to Trek into Ealing every Saturday to do my food shop at M&S is such a hassle.

Lucy Hewitt ● 3764d

Did anyone actually ever believe Waitrose would open a store in Acton?  Nothing was ever signed and all the plans showed the delivery access from either the High Street or Churchfield Road would be a disaster, without taking account of the amount of cars that would  be needed to come in and out to make it economically justifiable.  I am sorry, but this is Acton and the demographic never warranted it.  It was a ploy to win over those of you who were blinded by the promise of a Waitrose (how shallow you were) to the ugliness and disproportionate size of this eyesore of a development. I am sorry if I sound bitter, but those of us who opposed and campaigned against the development as it was planned (not the concept of a sustainable development on the site) endured sneering abuse from those who supported it.

Anne Brown ● 3764d

Well well well, Now the truth is out! I never really believed that Waitrose would dome to Acton, but there you go, that's what our Councillors wanted us to believe to get the go ahead for redeveloping The Oaks.All we are left with now is an empty space, local residents actually shopped in Iceland, Poundstretchers, and Peacocks, even the 99p shop came in handy! The little cafe was quite nice, in fact there was no need to change anything really.The developers wanted a skyscraper and didn't really care much about what the residents wanted or needed.Wonder what excuses we will get from Ealing Council???Let's hope we at least get M&S or LIDL to fill the void.

Jean F Fernandez ● 3764d

How depressing! The one good thing that was coming to Acton :( I think we can expect even more shops selling cheap tat.

Lucy Hewitt ● 3764d

I feel like a mug for believing Waitrose was coming to Acton.  Expect some more halal chicken takeaways to maintain that third world ambience.

Robert Murray ● 3765d

The Oaks was closed prematurely,depriving Acton of a well known and liked Shopping Centre,Waitrose was not going to wait forever nor will the others,the changes again were nor required,Acton had a nice centre and shopping area,what have we now nothing,wake up Ealing Planners!!!Should have left the Oaks as it was?

Dr John Stolworthy D.Sc ● 3765d

Where is Josh and mik  they need to keep  us up to date

John Kennedy ● 3765d

If they are turning the space into smaller spaces Lidl and M&S would be a reasonable substitute. I wish.

Bob Crossley ● 3765d

Very disappointed

James Feth ● 3765d

We desperately need local control of planning decisions - i.e. A planning committee for Acton drawn only from Acton Councillors. And then we need to think very carefully indeed about who we choose to represent us. Labour in London Borough of Ealing have failed us time and time again. This is just the latest chapter in a sorry tale.

Julian Smith ● 3765d

Completely predictable ploy to buy off local scepticism.The Oaks campaign group never thought there was anything in this proposal.It would be great to be able to prove it.

Sara Nathan ● 3765d

I always suspected it was a fix in order to get planning permission. @!$&*X#!!!!

Bob Crossley ● 3765d

Oh dear what a shamble let's see what the council says it's terrible lies lies roll o the next. Elections

John Kennedy ● 3765d

There goes the neighbourhood.

Keith Iddon ● 3765d

I can't wait to see how the council puts a spin on this.

Howard Davidson ● 3765d