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Residents voice fears over late-night bar plan
PLANS to change a former toy shop into a late-night bar on Didcot's Broadway are worrying families who fear it will make their lives a misery.
People in Broadway, St Peter's Road, Wessex Road and Haydon Road said alcohol-fuelled behaviour and vandalism would rise if a new bar and restaurant in the old Dentons shop in upper Broadway was approved.
Neighbours were concerned about noise and cars clogging-up nearby roads and said the Smith and Jones-chain bar was not suitable for a residential area.
Bar managers want to attract high-street shoppers and office workers on weekdays, as well as evening and weekend revellers.
Doors would stay open until 1.30am on Saturdays and Sundays and close at 12.30am from Tuesday to Friday.
Father-of-three Mark Allinson, of Broadway, is among the residents determined to fight the plans.
The 33-year-old engineer said: "I don't want to move but it's on my doorstep.
"I can see it from my bedroom window.
"It's completely in the wrong area.
"It's mainly three-bedroom houses full of families around here.
"Vandalism is bad enough as it is, but it would only get worse. If it gets the go-ahead we would have to move.
"It's no place to bring up children opposite a pub. There would just be no peace here.
"In the evening it's a friendly place and that's the way we want to keep it."
Brian McIntyre, 56, of Wessex Road, said: "People will start dispersing in the street and congregate in the area outside the kebab shop which might start staying open later.
"Where are the taxis going to come?
"There is no policing along here at the moment and if it was in the town centre, with everything else it would be easier to police."
Haydoncorr Road resident Ann Purnell, 53, said: "It's the aggravation factor as much as anything with people moving backwards and forwards on the road.
"There are also areas at the top of the road for people to congregate and get up to things like drugs.
"This road hasn't got any CCTV either."
Retired Molly Smith, of Haydon Road, said: "They must keep this sort of thing for the town centre.
"I have had one drunk fellow being sick in the garden and one threw a bottle and hit the window, and that's without the bar."
Pensioners Peter and Amy Ryding, of Haydon Road, said they did not object to the principle of the development, but they said it was in the wrong place.
A spokesman for the Barracuda Group said the bar would be high quality and would add "vitality" to the area, creating about 25 full and part-time positions.
He said: "It will not be a so-called 'superpub' offering cheap drinks at discounted prices, instead it will operate as a high quality pub that offers award-winning pub food, premium brands, coffee and soft drinks in a contemporary yet comfortable environment.
"Regarding residents' concerns over parking we have researched the area and believe there is sustainable public transport for people to use during the day.
"As our target customers are shoppers, office workers and local residents we would anticipate that they will already be using the parking facilities in the town centre. In the evening we hope that the pub will appeal to local customers who we envisage would walk to the venue or use local taxi services."
A date for the planning application to be heard by South Oxfordshire District Council planners has not yet been set.
1:48pm Wednesday 30th April 2008
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CommentPosted by: anon, didcot on 2:10pm Wed 30 Apr 08
Like Wallingford, Didcot has enough pubs and doesnt need another, particularly a late license bar when both towns already have issues of lack of policing due to funding and a stack of complaints about vandalism, fighting and disorderly conduct. Enough is enough!
Like Wallingford, Didcot has enough pubs and doesnt need another, particularly a late license bar when both towns already have issues of lack of policing due to funding and a stack of complaints about vandalism, fighting and disorderly conduct. Enough is enough!
Posted by: David, wantage on 3:18pm Wed 30 Apr 08
A spokesman for the Barracuda Group said the bar would be high quality and would add "vitality" to the area, creating about 25 full and part-time positions.
If that is so, surely they should have a unit within The Orchard Centre, where there would be a better target market during the day and after work, with plenty of parking/convenience for taxis. But then the property rent maybe higher than on the Broadway unless they think that by being there they will raise the profile and quality of the existing businesses (no offence intended to the latter!).
A spokesman for the Barracuda Group said the bar would be high quality and would add "vitality" to the area, creating about 25 full and part-time positions.
If that is so, surely they should have a unit within The Orchard Centre, where there would be a better target market during the day and after work, with plenty of parking/convenience for taxis. But then the property rent maybe higher than on the Broadway unless they think that by being there they will raise the profile and quality of the existing businesses (no offence intended to the latter!).
Posted by: John, Didcot on 4:52pm Wed 30 Apr 08
Barracuda were going to move into where M&Co are but the rent was too high.
They are very good pubs and residents have nothing to fear. I lived near one in Caterham by had no issues with it. A great addition for the upper Broadway.
Barracuda were going to move into where M&Co are but the rent was too high.
They are very good pubs and residents have nothing to fear. I lived near one in Caterham by had no issues with it. A great addition for the upper Broadway.
Posted by: Another Anon, Didcot on 6:01pm Wed 30 Apr 08
What a bad idea. We already ahve far too many premises selling alcohol in the town. In case no one has noticed the town has a problem with drinkers already. Why encourage them?
What a bad idea. We already ahve far too many premises selling alcohol in the town. In case no one has noticed the town has a problem with drinkers already. Why encourage them?
Posted by: Rob, Didcot on 6:11pm Wed 30 Apr 08
Didcot also has nowhere nice for responsible people who do like a beer drink. This is just what the town needs. Half the people who go to Broadways walk past this place to get home already. We need a decent bar!
Didcot also has nowhere nice for responsible people who do like a beer drink. This is just what the town needs. Half the people who go to Broadways walk past this place to get home already. We need a decent bar!
Posted by: Eddie on 9:10pm Wed 30 Apr 08
I don't think this pub will attract the people that you implying in the article. These pubs are like Weatherspoons and I think it would be a great addiction to the area.
I don't think this pub will attract the people that you implying in the article. These pubs are like Weatherspoons and I think it would be a great addiction to the area.
Posted by: Anon, Didcot on 9:41pm Wed 30 Apr 08
It's about time Didcot got a decent pub for the more responsible drinkers who just want a nice evening out - Most of the pubs round here at the moment are full of binge drinking teenagers causing trouble and starting fights - Not my idea of a fun night out
It's about time Didcot got a decent pub for the more responsible drinkers who just want a nice evening out - Most of the pubs round here at the moment are full of binge drinking teenagers causing trouble and starting fights - Not my idea of a fun night out
Posted by: K, Didcot on 9:07am Thu 1 May 08
This is just what Didcot needs. The area is still in the Town Centre and the businesses in that area of the Broadway need new ventures such as this to keep People visiting that end of the Town. It is near established restaurants and takeaway shops. It will be a long and over due welcome to the town. I hope the Planners listen to ALL views.
This is just what Didcot needs. The area is still in the Town Centre and the businesses in that area of the Broadway need new ventures such as this to keep People visiting that end of the Town. It is near established restaurants and takeaway shops. It will be a long and over due welcome to the town. I hope the Planners listen to ALL views.
Posted by: Sarah, Didcot on 11:54am Thu 1 May 08
How about an over 21s bar? Keep all the kids out!
How about an over 21s bar? Keep all the kids out!
Posted by: D, Didcot on 3:39pm Thu 1 May 08
I too think this is just what Didcot needs, a decent place for more mature people to go who like has been said before just want a nice night out, bring it on, it is long overdue!
I too think this is just what Didcot needs, a decent place for more mature people to go who like has been said before just want a nice night out, bring it on, it is long overdue!
Posted by: A, Didcot on 3:47pm Thu 1 May 08
Hopefully the kill joys of Didcot won't get their way over this, this is just what the town needs, like has been said will bring life back to the Broadway!
Hopefully the kill joys of Didcot won't get their way over this, this is just what the town needs, like has been said will bring life back to the Broadway!
Posted by: C, didcot on 4:37pm Thu 1 May 08
Yes...but we all know that companies like that make these pubs to be a lot better than they actually will be. They'll still attract the idiot brigade.
Yes...but we all know that companies like that make these pubs to be a lot better than they actually will be. They'll still attract the idiot brigade.
Posted by: Brian, Didcot on 5:20pm Thu 1 May 08
This is just what this end of town needs something other than take aways and charity shops. Stop the whingeing, I live that end of town and am a pensioner I'm all for it.
This is just what this end of town needs something other than take aways and charity shops. Stop the whingeing, I live that end of town and am a pensioner I'm all for it.
Posted by: John, Didcot on 10:02pm Thu 1 May 08
Think its what the town needs, something new and far better than broadways. as far as i am aware there is cctv on the broadway, there is even one directly outside the old dentons. i think the old bill do a good job, always see them about day and night so no doubt any problems will get sorted. great idea..
Think its what the town needs, something new and far better than broadways. as far as i am aware there is cctv on the broadway, there is even one directly outside the old dentons. i think the old bill do a good job, always see them about day and night so no doubt any problems will get sorted. great idea..
Posted by: Amy, Didcot on 7:17pm Thu 8 May 08
Being in my mid twenty's myself I think this is exactly what didcot needs. HOWEVER !!! I live at the rear of the old Dentons building. To those people that think there is no one directly outside the building, I'm afraid you are wrong. I live in one of the closest houses to the property and in actual fact, my bedroom window is about 20 metres from the proposed outside seating area. From my window I would probably be able to give a discription of everyone in the outside area. Most of you probably sit in your gardens quite peacefully, with the odd sound of a car or a child playing. Well not me!! I would hear the conversations of people from 9am until closing. Probably wouldn't even be able to have my window open at night. Again I say, I am not at all against the idea of a new bar/ restuarant for Didcot, but not in the proposed building. Please just think about how you would feel with the sound of big screens, music, and people talking all day (and louder after alcohol)only 20 metres from your house.
Being in my mid twenty's myself I think this is exactly what didcot needs. HOWEVER !!! I live at the rear of the old Dentons building. To those people that think there is no one directly outside the building, I'm afraid you are wrong. I live in one of the closest houses to the property and in actual fact, my bedroom window is about 20 metres from the proposed outside seating area. From my window I would probably be able to give a discription of everyone in the outside area. Most of you probably sit in your gardens quite peacefully, with the odd sound of a car or a child playing. Well not me!! I would hear the conversations of people from 9am until closing. Probably wouldn't even be able to have my window open at night. Again I say, I am not at all against the idea of a new bar/ restuarant for Didcot, but not in the proposed building. Please just think about how you would feel with the sound of big screens, music, and people talking all day (and louder after alcohol)only 20 metres from your house.
Posted by: anon, oxon on 8:40am Sat 10 May 08
Amy I have to put up with commercial vehicle repairs from a new bod moved in.
This is within a few feet of my home - front, back & side
Cant have windows open, cant sit in garden, cant rest in the house.
No change of use applied for
Amy I have to put up with commercial vehicle repairs from a new bod moved in.
This is within a few feet of my home - front, back & side
Cant have windows open, cant sit in garden, cant rest in the house.
No change of use applied for
Posted by: anon, oxon on 3:53pm Wed 14 May 08
Sue Such, your comments about your neighbour doing vehicle repairs are strange, as you never open your windows or blinds anyway. Besides which they have nothing to do with this story, this story is about the proposed late night bar.
Try to stay on topic!
Sue Such, your comments about your neighbour doing vehicle repairs are strange, as you never open your windows or blinds anyway. Besides which they have nothing to do with this story, this story is about the proposed late night bar.
Try to stay on topic!
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