Traffic chaos contributes to Oxford Aldens butcher moving

Aldens has been trading in the city since 1793 and is currently based on the Osney Mead industrial estate, off Botley Road.

But a variety of reasons have prompted its owners to relocate its wholesale operation, which accounts for 80 per cent of its business, to Bicester.

READ MORE: New electric buses arrive in Oxford

Its retail section, including the Fishmarket and Meatmaster, will remain at Osney Mead, which recently flooded following Storm Henk.

Managing director Matthew Alden, who leads a team of about 85 employees, said some staff would be moving to Bicester once the firm's new warehouse is completed later this year.

Customers include Oxford and Cambridge colleges, hotels and the Houses of Parliament.

Mr Alden added: "One of the reasons for the move is the complete disaster zone of traffic coordination around Oxford.

"The closure of Botley Road at the rail bridge costs us an extra £50 a day - an extra £10,000 every six months. That's because of the overtime for drivers and extra fuel.

"And problems at the Botley interchange has meant it has sometimes taken staff hours to get to work."

Mr Alden said it was now quicker to deliver to most Oxford colleges from Bicester than from west Oxford, due to the closure of Botley Road at the rail bridge, which is not due to end until October, as a £161m Network Rail station revamp continues.

While traffic delays are a factor in the move, it is not the only reason or the main motivation, according to Mr Alden.

Flooding on the Osney Mead is also being considered by the company. Flood waters caused by Storm Henk meant the company lost sales as customers could not access the trading estate for several days last week.

READ MORE: Flood alerts are still in place

Mr Alden highlighted the issue on social media by posting a photo of himself on a paddle board.

Another key factor in the move is the high rent in the city.

The rent in Bicester is considerably lower than in Oxford, and Aldens' Osney Mead rent has just increased by 50%.

Mr Alden said the Bicester warehouse was 23,000 sq ft, allowing plenty of room for growth for the next 25 years, while the Osney Mead premises did not allow room for growth.

He added: "The new location is geographically better as we can serve London and Cambridge better, and improve our service level to Oxford due to better production efficiencies.

"Aldens are committed to their climate responsibilities. With clever fridge technology the heat generated will power the internal lighting. The solar panels on the roof will generate 200,000 kw each year.

"We are restricted by the landlord at Osney Mead when it comes to investing in solar and green energy."

The managing director said relocating the wholesale business to Bicester was a positive move for the company and would allow it to continue to expand.

"Osney Mead has been a fantastic home for us - we are an Oxford business and we always will be.

"But we are almost at capacity at Osney Mead - there are no more units available.

READ MORE: Major rail route disruption continues 

"We have grown 10 per cent year on year, employing local people.

"We are now working with the staff on whether they will be based in Bicester or Oxford."

Julian Le Vay, of residents' group West Oxford Access, said: "Oxford colleges are big customers of Aldens and the Botley Road closure has made delivery much more difficult."

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

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