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Charity shop row rumbles on

From the archive, first published Monday 6th Aug 2001.

A row has broken out over who is to blame for the high number of charity shops in Headington.

Jon Silversides, of Lambert Smith Hampton, owners of the London Road shopping complex, said he had no choice but to let the last empty unit to a charity.

He claimed there was no interest from anyone else and that lack of parking spaces and planning policy is to blame.

However, council officers have angrily defended their policies and claim letting agents are to blame.

The British Heart Foundation opened its doors last month, despite claims that another charity shop in the area was inappropriate.

Mr Silversides said Oxford City Council's policy not to allow food businesses in the area was holding Headington back.

Although retailers had showed no interest, he believes consent for a restaurant would bring in business.

He said: "The principal reason given by retailers for their unwillingness to locate in Headington was the lack of parking immediate to the property.

"The council's restriction on permitting further food businesses, while commendable for stopping the spread of unsightly fast food units, is negative in not allowing in bistros or restaurants.

"If controlled properly, this type of development can greatly enhance an area."

But the city council's head of planning policy, Patricia Stevenson, rejected criticism as "complete rubbish".

She said that if 75 per cent of shops in the area were retail, the council would consider allowing a restaurant. It was up to landlords, she added, to encourage a variety of businesses into the area.

"Whether it's a charity shop or another type of retail, a shoe shop or hardware store, is irrelevant to us. A shop is a shop in planning terms.

"The question that should be asked is `what are the letting agencies doing to market the properties?'"

There was no evidence to suggest parking was a problem in Headington, Ms Stevenson said.

Separate studies by Oxford Brookes University and the Headington and Marston Transport Study revealed that the shopping area needs more road crossings, not more parking, to make busy London Road safer.

She added: "None of the shops on Cowley Road have parking outside. They have a lot less, but Cowley Road is flourishing.

"Why charity shops are flooding to Headington I don't know. How are the letting agencies marketing their property?

"Surely big shops such as Next would find a market in Headington.

"Locals say they want a shoe shop or a hardware store. In planning terms, we can't do anything about that. For everyone to hang their hopes on planning departments is a waste of time."

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