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28th September 2011

The Orchard Shopping Centre Latest Development.

BROADWAY traders fear their shops will be flattened to make way for the second phase of Didcot’s Orchard shopping centre development.

The firms with premises between High Street and the Hitchcock Way roundabout are calling on council chiefs to make clear if their land will be bought using compulsory purchase orders.

South Oxfordshire District Council and developer Hammerson last week announced a £125m, 200,000 sq ft extension to the centre, for a 2014 opening.

Marks & Spencer, John Lewis and Debenhams are amongst the names which have been approached to be part of the development.

SODC said it would use CPOs if necessary but did not give more details. Traders would be consulted, it said.

John Ward, who runs Broadway Pet Centre, said: “We invested £100,000 to set up business here eight years ago. We believe the plan will mean we have to close, but we have not been told anything official and would like to be kept informed by the council. It’s possible that the land our shop is on could be needed for shops or flats.”

He said: “Broadway has always been the town’s High Street but I believe this will kill it off.”

Colin Harrison, whose family has run Didcot Electrical Wholesalers in Broadway since 1961, said: “We would like to see detailed plans from the council as soon as possible. If we are forced to move, then I think we should be provided with an alternative location.

“Now that the council has announced phase two it needs to send someone round to talk to each individual traders whose business will be affected.”

Didcot mayor John Flood said: “Lower Broadway is living on borrowed time in its present form, but I do think the plans for the new centre should incorporate small units for the existing specialist shops to move into.”

Council chief executive David Buckle said last week: “If we have to take the compulsory purchase order route we will, but we hope businesses will strike a deal.”

SODC strategic director Anna Robinson said: “The council and Hammerson are working together to bring forward detailed plans for the town centre.

“It’s early days, but Hammerson will be in contact with all current occupiers and owners of the site and we will make sure that they and the wider community are kept informed. The council will be working with the local community and businesses in Didcot to look at how the whole town should grow and develop over the coming years, not just the centre.

“We are strongly committed to supporting local businesses and we will ensure that we work closely with them in developing plans that help them thrive.”

Didcot Chamber of Commerce chairman Mike Foster said he would take traders’ concerns to the council. He said: “The chamber is delighted for Didcot that phase two is happening, but the Orchard Centre and SODC have to be prepared to work more closely with other businesses.”

The council will need to approve a planning application for the scheme to go ahead. The application is expected by the end of the year.