Forum Topic

The Oaks - something new...

Not to get anyone excited, but there's a new addition to The Oaks.  A stall in that big entrance area for mobile phones.  At least there's something to fill up that vast concrete space, but does anyone know if any of those empty retail units will ever open?

Helen New ● 2247d22 Comments

Since The Oaks reopened I have been astonished at how bleak the shopping mall is, like something out of an abandoned grey warehouse! I posted on the forum a number of times saying the owners should make the place more welcoming.The addition of a few plants, another one or two stalls and maybe a bench or two. It makes one wonder whether the developers are even bothered about making The Oaks a success.There are other shopping centres competing with Acton High Street and unless things drastically improve soon the place will be like an abandoned ship!At least the older Oaks had more shops, a small café and it was much more welcoming.  The developers got their wish with lots of flats in this location but they should spare a thought for Iceland, Wilko, Lidl and Superdrug, these stores probably hoped The Oaks would attract more customers, with the exception of Lidl I don't think this is happening,

Jean F Fernandez ● 2230d

Simple and cheap measures like large potted plants scattered about would make a massive difference, as would a few more kiosks to fill the void - shoe repairer/key cutter, eyebrow threader, etc, as in the Old Oaks.Something's not right with all this, they DO know what they need to do, but they're not doing it.  Why?

Rosco White ● 2231d

Developers do not have to pay Business Rates on "new" properties for some considerable time. See “BusinessRates New Builds Empty Property Relief”. This was brought in under Cameron's government in 2012.  so there is little incentive for Developers to drop rents.

Libby Kemp ● 2231d

Its a real shame and I cannot see the Centre improving. They should just have left it as it was at Least there were a few decent shops in there. The promise of M & S moving in was never going to happen.

Tony Crumpton ● 2232d

Unfortunately I heard the other day a couple saying lets go to  the GHOST shopping centre (The Oak shopping centre), which did not surprise me at all, it is really a ghost place. The developers are so greedy they are asking for enormous sums of money and harsh conditions for the rent therefore nobody is renting that  huge shop space, the developers made there money from the flats above and they don't care about the shopping centre and for Acton community any more.

Sedad Mahmoud ● 2232d

Funnily enough the three shops currently open are the ones I use regularly so love the fact there is the 90 minutes free parking, and being able to easily take any heavy shopping to your car.  But am surprised at how much empty space there is in there, definately a pound shop wouldn't go amiss.

Carol Burge ● 2239d

Carl, I agree with you that Lidl is doing rather well which is great news.However, if Iceland, Superdrug and Wilko are suffering in this climate then there is a chance that they might not survive in The Oaks That would be a disaster.The owners of this site really do need to try and attract more shoppers, Perhaps the public are not aware that they can park for 90 minutes in The Oaks carpark for instance!

Jean F Fernandez ● 2239d

Lidl is always busy when I'm there. I think they are doing well.Carl

Carl Tamboli ● 2240d

The shops in The Oaks were really quiet this afternoon, almost empty. How long can they continue unless some changes are made to attract more shoppers to visit the site.

Jean F Fernandez ● 2240d

I can't imagine Lidl, Iceland and Wilko will be happy with the situation. they must have assume the units at the front would be rented to bring people in. The worse though is Superdrug. You have to pass Savers and Boots before you get to them. One thing I didn't realise was that the car park was free for 90 mins which they need to make more of. If Morrisons are enforcing the parking rules more in their car park it would make it much more attractive.

Kevin Howard ● 2242d

It wouldn't surprise me if the existing shops close just as soon as they can. Then we'll have an even bigger nasty empty space.  We waited over 4 years for this horrid place.

Sarah Vickers ● 2243d

Have to say that whenever we go to the Oaks Lidl, it's fairly busy, though we can't speak for Wilko or Iceland.You'd think that Boots would open a side door into the new 'mall' and make themselves part of the development (after all, their address is Unit 17, Shopping Precinct) though we know their bit wasn't rebuilt as was originally planned.

Peter Evans ● 2243d

The developers were probably more interested in the flats above the shopping mall!Sad to see how few shoppers visit this development, let's just hope they do something to attract more footfall.

Jean F Fernandez ● 2244d

Yes, I'd have thought it would have picked up a bit by now.And the Corona thing isn't going to help.  😨

Rosco White ● 2245d

Saddens me to see how few people are in Wilco, Lidl and Iceland.  I am wondering how long they are going to stay in business.

Beryl Bashford ● 2246d

Was there ever an explanation why they didn't put one of the big shops facing out on to Churchfield Road? It would have mitigated the claustrophobic sensation of having to go underground if we could just walk off the street into an actual shop.

Norman Redfern ● 2246d

The entrance is not very welcoming really, I am sure much more could be done to attract shoppers and indeed more business to fill the empty units!It would be great to have M&S, or Poundland. A few plants would surely cheer the place up?Don't the owners want The Oaks to attract more visitors?

Jean F Fernandez ● 2246d

It's a weird place to visit. Why did they let all the units at the back first? If someone doesn't know the area they would presume that the centre is empty.

Kevin Howard ● 2246d

    🤣 👍

Rosco White ● 2247d

Yes please.

Sarah Vickers ● 2247d

I heard M & S were opening there?  😂 🤣

Rosco White ● 2247d

As the attempts to gentrify the shopping centre have now failed can we have the 99p Shop and Sports Direct back please?

Andy Jones ● 2247d