Quote Originally Posted by Paddy View Post
I see a big Tesco place has sprung up. I can remember all those shops that is the magic of the area the continuity. I think the sign denotes a masonic order. Talking about ale it was double diamond the favoutrite pint of the sixties in there. I was to young to drink it I only remember the smell.The closing of the bus garage and other factors seems to have caused a decline yet it always survives. I think the student population have played a part in that.
The Tesco's has been there about four years now. It isn't that big - though looks as though it occupies the whole corner. Infact since Choices Video store closed down in August 2007 apart from Tesco's on the corner the only other occupied unit in that block is Carphone Warehouse. Two units have remained unlet since it was completed.

This is somewhat strange as a number of shops have changed hands during the same period. Our old shop Luxton's Newsagents was sold to a local builder who has a number of student properties. He rearranged the accomodation into student lets, turned the shops into "lock ups" and had people in the shops in no time. One must presume the owners of the Tesco block - who I think is Henry Boot Properties - are seeking rather higher rents than those prevailing in the area.

The population of the area is certainly boosted by students durin the holidays there is much space in the side roads with all the student cars gone. Different story during term times.

John