Reading Roars!

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The Blagrave Arms has been visibly quiet in recent days.  The pub has closed and is now available to let.  It’s a shame, as the establishment under its new owner got off to a great start.  I hope to have more information about this soon.

Other town centre casualties in recent months include the Cafe Iguana (a tremendously dull shop now occupies its place), Bar Med (now an empty shell, reportedly to be divided into two units) and, I believe, The Brewery Tap (someone tell me this isn’t true).

Rather like Marmite, it seems that people either love or hate Tesco (I happen to love Marmite). 

Last Thursday evening, a number of concerned Katesgrove residents and business owners met at the Global Cafe to discuss a proposal for a 9th Tesco store (on 20 October, allegedly) in Reading, to be located at the corner of London St and Crown St.  The meeting was organised by Councillors Gareth Epps and Warren Swaine (an event on Facebook was set up for this purpose).

The turnout was impressive.  I counted 30-ish attendees.  Others reported 40 to 50 (my counting’s not great).  What also impressed me were the points put across.  I was half-expecting an anti-Tesco rant from someone, but that didn’t materialise.   

Instead, I heard the following comments (only a selection of what was said):

• Tesco won’t expel unruly people like a family-run businesses would.  People who serve on the tills don’t care.
• There is no parking facility.   Cheap booze runs will be encouraged.  There will be more traffic, potentially leading to problems at the Oracle roundabout. 
• There may be a traffic accident.  Scenario: a car stops, driver turns on the hazard lights and pops in for a packet of fags.
• The availability of cheap alcohol, appealing to nearby students, may result in potential disorder.
• It’s scandalous that this is the only mechanism available to beat Tesco.

 Far better accounts than this can be read on the Katesgrove Lib Dems and Reading Chronicle sites. 

Meanwhile, a quick Google News search has revealed similar opposition to proposed Tesco openings around the country:

• Campaigners are fighting supermarket giant Tesco’s bid to expand in Leigh (Echo)
• Worry over Cannon Park Tesco plans (Coventry Telegraph)
• Calls for Tesco store plans to be shelved (Camden News)
• Do we really need a fourth Tesco Express? (Worcester News)
• Middleton in total opposition to Tesco plan (Littlehampton Today)

The fate of the colourful Fun ‘n’ Frolic fancy dress shop, occupying the spot now eyed by Tesco, is unfortunate.  Thanks to the store, I was able to wear a Top Gun navy uniform to a party two years ago (much to the delight and hilarity of other guests).

It’s places like these – and the now-closed Cafe Iguana (now a newsagents) - that make Reading a more interesting town.  Economics prevail, but what does that say about the town – or us?