Kinson: shopping complex in Wimborne Road

Image: © Chris Downer Taken: 22 May 2011

This concrete shopping complex has changed appearance in recent months and is destined for demolition in the next couple of years. Until recently, the frontages facing us did feature a fish and chip shop on the left-hand end, followed by a butcher's and then a large, long closed motoring supplier. The pine furniture shop now taking on the whole frontage has only recently appeared. Beyond, there are a few little shops (florist, confectioner, charity shop are three) before the Co-Op supermarket at the end. It has recently been announced in the local paper, after some speculation, that Tesco have been confirmed as the incumbents and they plan to flatten this parade and replace it with one of its stores and four or five smaller outlets for rent. This has been met with a mixture of annoyance that Tesco are 'opening yet another store in the area' and pleasure that the rather run-down thing is going to be pulled down and replaced. All but one of the current occupiers have accepted the payoff for the remaining lease, while the other has turned down the offers it has received so far. Also in line for the chop is the Royal Oak pub (see Image) which is hidden behind the tree on the right.

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