TESCO on Cowley Road is set to be demolished and rebuilt with 137 student flats above it this spring, prompting worries about the timing of the plans.

The supermarket confirmed that it plans to start work at the Tesco Metro in the coming weeks, redeploying its staff to other branches, and leaving the busy East Oxford street with one less essential shop.

One local resident hit out at the timing of the building work, claiming it could lead to an increase in demand at other nearby supermarkets and shops, resulting in crowding and less opportunity to maintain social distancing measures.

The resident, who did not want to be named, said: “I am not at all opposed to this development but I am opposed to the timing, in the middle of the worst health crisis the country has endured in centuries, and so are other local residents.”

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They also said it could lead to more people cramming into public transport to visit supermarkets further afield than the shops on Cowley Road.

They added: “I do not know which authority can put this store closure on pause, but somebody needs to do so urgently before it is too late.”

But a Tesco spokesman said they expected the store to temporarily close for 30 weeks from ‘spring 2021’.

To ease concerns about a lack of nearby shops, they suggested shoppers use one of the ‘nine alternative Tesco stories within five miles of Oxford Cowley Road’, including 'Oxford St Aldates Express, Abingdon Rd Express, Oxford Magdalen St Metro and Oxford Superstore'.

Tesco Cowley Road

Tesco Cowley Road

Staff at Cowley Road Tesco will be redeployed to other nearby stores, returning after the works are completed.

When work begins, there will be traffic controls for construction vehicles on Chapel Street, the side street to the east of Tesco.

Colin Hamilton, Store Director for Oxford Cowley Road, said: “We are excited to be planning a significant refresh of our store which will lead to a much-improved shopping experience for customers.

“We apologise for any inconvenience the temporary closure of the store causes and would like to reassure the community we’ll be back as soon as possible and providing our usual great service in a store which is fit for the future.”

Plans to redevelop the Cowley Road store were approved in October 2019.

READ AGAIN about the original plans here

At the time there was objection from more than 100 local people, but councillors on Oxford City Council’s planning committee praised the innovative plan.

A similar plan in its early stages will see the Midcounties Co-op on London Road, Headington knocked down and rebuilt with flats above it.

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