Forum Topic

Closing

Netto in the Oaks Centre is closing on 3rd June It appears ASDA has bought the chain but have been unable to agree new terms with the landlords.

Roger Foreman ● 5595d33 Comments

ASDA would be better wouldn't it?

Sara Nathan ● 5595d

I am not an ASDA fan, but have only been in the Oaks a few times over the years and Netto once..... Netto leaving will leave a large hole in the Oaks, Wilkinsons might be a contender?

Iain Muir ● 5594d

Oaks owners are trying to sell the whole site anyhow - I thought it was due to complete in hte next month or so.

Sara Nathan ● 5594d

I think the Oaks has had it's day.  I hate to say it but even flats would be an improvement from what it is now.

Sarah Harris ● 5594d

...although my toddler LOVES the little cars in there in the middle parts of the centre (he hasn't thankfully learnt yet that if money is paid into them they move), it's his favourite place in Acton!! Even rates higher with him than the parks/toddler groups/library! ...Can't say it's my favourite place though...

Laura Wood ● 5594d

The place has only been up for around 16 years. I am sure it had just opened up when I moved to Acton in 1995.

Tony Crumpton ● 5594d

I think it would make a great spot for a small independent cinema with two screens - one in English language and one in Polish language (and maybe a few Aussie/SA films thrown in to avoid missing anyone out!).  Stick some shops underneath and retain the cars for Laura's toddler and we've got our own  mini-Westfields!  ;-)

Sarah Harris ● 5594d

Originally there was a cinema on the site.  It was demolished to make way for the Oaks!!!Everything goes round in circles.

Dee Cook ● 5594d

Genius! Would LOVE a little cinema too...

Laura Wood ● 5594d

asda would be good

Jon Kennedy ● 5594d

Yes, there was originally a cinema on the site, The Globe, but it was demolished well before The Oaks came into being! When I first came to Acton 31 years ago, The Oaks was a 1960's style concrete precinct with an 'International' brand supermarket, and other shops. There was a back entrance to Woolworths (now The Belvedere), a shop which sold all kinds of household items, an Exchange and Mart office, British Gas showroom, Coughlans the bakers....It wasn't called The Oaks then. The site of Morrisons was also a cinema - The Odeon. There were a number of cinemas in Acton in the past - have a look at the Acton History Group website - it tells you more -www.actonhistory.co.uk

Amanda Knights ● 5594d

It might send the Council into shock to hear locals wanting something knocked down!  Maybe we could do a trade off with Shakespeare Road if they're that desperate to knock down local buildings.I recall it was a cinema previously.  It would be great to have it back again.Incidentally, wasn't there also a cinema on Horn Lane?  Does anyone know where it was?  Is there any architecture left of it today?

Sarah Harris ● 5594d

Isn't that the one mentioned above - if its the Morrisons site - then no, don't think there's anything left.

Sara Nathan ● 5594d

There was one just north of what was Estoril on Horn Lane. It became 'Interior Systems', part of Davies Shop-fitters. It was demolished when they built the flats.- Avingdor Court. There are some pictures on the Acton History Website as mentioned above. Of the cinemas that were in Acton, the only one that is really still recognisable as a cinema is of course the Gala Bingo near the railway bridge.

Amanda Knights ● 5594d

From memory there were three cinemas in Acton.  The Gaumont, which was knocked down in the 60's to give way to a concrete shopping centre and then knocked down yet again and rebuilt as The Oaks Shopping Centre.  The Odeon - which became B & Q and was then rebuilt as Morrisons and finally the Granada which became a bingo hall and still exists near the railway bridge.

Maria Pettit ● 5593d

Presumably the Granada, which is the Bingo hall, could be converted back to a cinema should the Bingo hall decide to close.I've not been inside.  Would that be feasible?

Dee Cook ● 5593d

To my childhood eye The Gaumont was very imposing with a wide flight of steps up to a portico with (4?) sets of double pillars. In those days I could just squeeze between the pairs.Nearby was a Lyons Tea Rooms where we were taken after the matinee. Still remember those huge meringues - looked maginificent but sort of exploded when you got your teeth into them..The vertical structure for the cinema sign in Horn Lane remained in place for ages - maybe still there. We also went often to the Odeon, Granada or Savoy which was in East Acton.It's a pity we don't even have one left.

Nina Thomas ● 5593d

........so you were an Acton Grenadier perhaps on a Saturday morning.    A tomato soup and roll after a swimming session in Lyons (they had un upstairs didnt they?) was always nice.

Dee Cook ● 5593d

I think Lyons did have an upstairs - and huge repro pics on the walls - impressionists? - and ladies in black and white uniforms.Couldn't resist the cakes as they looked so exciting but the cream in them was a kind of very sweet oily mousse which was really horrid!Sorry, we're getting off The Oaks. Some very good bargains to be had there particularly in Savers.

Nina Thomas ● 5593d

In a word, no.  Cinemas and DVDs are struggling as technology moves on, which is why Hollywood keeps making 3rd rate 3D films to try to get us to cinemas.  An independent cinema can survive in Hampstead or Notting Hill but not Acton.Not convinced Acton High Street needs anymore shops selling past-it veg and processed foods.  There's Morrisons, Iceland and countless independent shops, not to mention the fast food joints.I wonder how Ealing's Acton regeneration is coming along...

Ben Smith ● 5593d

It is a shame that Acton is losing such shops to be replaced only with betting shops and gambling places.

Munira Khan ● 5589d

if netto is replaced by asda, that would be a positive gain

Sara Nathan ● 5589d

If you read the OP I do not think there is any chance of ASDA replacing Netto.....

Iain Muir ● 5589d

...surely they must do an uber drop down sale bargain bogof deal with this closing; I'm going to check tonight!! Never too proud to shop at Netto - I for one will miss it.There's no way Asda would set up in the oaks when their little park royal number's doing handsomely open 24/7 365 - AND WITH FREE PARKING. Personally I'd rase that netto entire site to the ground and build the cinema back! and bring back woolies too!

T Beme ● 5589d

There were plans to make a walkaway from the High Street through to Churchfield Road.  Perhaps this is the time to demolish and open up the area by way of a green corridor.  And in the process get rid of the hideous car park.A new park perhaps?

Dee Cook ● 5588d

The Oaks is part of the Redevelopment Framework for the Regeneration of Acton.It is being promoted as a site for 'opportunity' by Ealing Council's Regeneration Team. Details here:http://www.ealinginlondon.com/opportunities-oaks-shopping-centre.htm

The Editor ● 5588d

I hear there are plans afoot to redevelop the Oaks car park, but it's more along the lines of an 8-storey block of flats with a 'major supermarket' underneath which would completely dominate the high st. A park or green space would be great but sadly I can't see that happening. Something to query at the next ward forum meeting.

Camilla Phelps ● 5588d

Yes ...........

Dee Cook ● 5587d

What are the timings for all of this?

Gordon Smith ● 5587d

Apparently local residents - though not me - have been sent a letter saying the developers will be at the Oaks with plans tomorrow and Saturday.I can't find a planning application - maybe Doris with her superior skills can! But have emailed planning asking if there is one.Over 120 units planned with no educational or other provision according to the Derwentwater school campaigners but that's all I know.  One should not be knee-jerk opposed surely - the Oaks is an eyesore and a poor use of space. If a replacement might be better and regenerative, that's great. It just needs local people and our councillors to scrutinise it and ensure that is the case.

Sara Nathan ● 5587d

The letter I received from a firm called Maddox and Associates is that there are proposals to refurbish existing shopping centre to provide 12 new units, 300 car parking spaces and 124 residential units..... and as someone who has been involved in the Derwentwater Primary School campaign ... presumably that means they are also going to build a new school. (Because no-one would be so stupid as to think you could carry on cramming even more children into the existing school .... would they?)Anyway for anyone interested there will be an exhibition and people to explain the details of the plan at Unit 10 of the Oaks Shopping Centre onFriday 10th June 10am to 4pmSaturday 11th June 10am to 4pm.

Richard Grange ● 5587d

See Front Page story - public exhibition on 10th and 11th June to see plans for The Oaks Redevelopment.

The Editor ● 5586d

......and to think that they can sell/rent residential property when the existing properties are moving very slowly.....and to think that more shopping space can be let, when the existing is vacant.......and to think that there will be enough doctor's surgeries able to cope with the increase in population...... all seems very optomistic in today's economic climate.Let's look at the plans and respond to the planning application.  It will be interesting to see how it looks from Churchfield Road.A safe, wide, well lit and maintained walkway from the High Street to Churchfield Road would be extremely helpful.

Dee Cook ● 5586d