We would like to make a couple of points regarding big multi-national company vs empty units and the lack of local entrepreneurship.

Just to give people a bit of background for the parade as we know it. We understand that the whole thing was owned by one man for many years until he died several years ago. London and District bought the lot up a couple of years ago and have since sold off units, whole blocks and flats.

We bought the flat above the Old Bank in November 2010 and were aware that the manager of the restaurant had a lease till 2015. The Old Bank restaurant began to falter in February 2011. This I understand was for a number of reasons one of which was the hike in rents which led to problems for many businesses in the parade (Honor Oak Tandoori closed as a result). Around this time London and District approached us to ask whether we wanted to sell the unit back to them as they were planning a "duplex building". Err hello?? we just bought it so we said no. Wilmotts emailed us in March to try to ascertain when The Old Bank restaurant stopped trading. A bailliffs eviction was served on 15th April 2011. I think that the for rent sign went up around May. The rumour mill regarding Domino's renting the unit started in July and this was confirmed by Willmotts. I do not know how many enquiries they recieved from other businesses but one individual told me that they were given short shrift.

It may seem to some people that it has stood empty for some time but really it was only for a couple of months. We believe London and District wanted to get a big business in from the start, hence wanting our flat back. This indicates that there was little room in terms of opportunity or time for smaller scale enterprise to approach them.

Furthermore we understand that the empty units across the road have been bought and remained unused with the express purpose of leasing them to Sainsburys in the near future. This may mean there will be no empty units left on the parade, which is of course a good thing unless other businesses fail due to competition. We feel that the Old Bank is a prime site and the current plans will add little to the parade. Its even more important now to get a business in that will benefit the smaller shops especially when they will be in competition with a big name supermarket.

This is of course not a planning argument but creativity and diversity are particularly regarding employment opportunities. We fear that HOP is going down the road of take aways and supermarket expresses. Of course the owners have the right to lease / sell to who they like but we as a community also have the right to fight for a parade that serves us.