For the last three decades Broadway Convenience Store has been at the heart of the Oxgangs community – and that commmunity is repaying those years of loyalty by getting behind Dennis and Linda Williams’ battle to prevent an Aldi store being built on a brownfield site next door.
by Kevin Scott
If ever there was any doubt about the vital importance of engaging with your local community, then the experience of Edinburgh retailers Dennis and Linda Williams over the past month puts it firmly to bed. In early February the pair discovered to their horror that Aldi had been named as the preferred bidder for a plot of land in Oxgangs, slap bang next to their Broadway Premier Convenience Store. The land – a brownfield site – was formerly home to Oxgangs Social Work Centre and St John’s Parish Church.
In a deal with the Church of Scotland and Edinburgh City Council, the land was marketed for use as “a mix of community uses and residential is likely to be preferred.” Then, despite two of the 11 bids for the site being from social housing developers, the Council agreed to sell the land to the German discounter. “We’re obviously fighting this all the way,” says Dennis. “It’s about more than our business. It’s a brownfield site – they should be building houses on it.
There’s a huge shortage of social housing in Edinburgh. We need houses, not supermarkets.” Having played a vital role in the community for almost 30 years, however, Dennis and Linda are not without friends in their time of need. Their claim is firmly backed by the Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) which claims the development goes against the National Planning Framework, the Strategic Development Plan for Edinburgh and the Council’s own Housing Strategy. In fact, the Strategic Development Plan for Edinburgh states clearly that, “consistent with Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) and with achieving sustainable development, priority in allocating new sites for housing development should be given to brownfield sites within existing built up areas.” John Lee, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at the SGF says: “The Scottish Planning Policy says new developments should avoid over-development and protect the amenity of existing developments. It is abundantly clear a new supermarket on this site would simply create over-development of retail provision within the wider Oxgangs/Colinton Mains area and this decision just flies in the face of the SPP.”
Another supporter is Gordon Macdonald, SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, who said the proposals were “folly” and urged the council not to grant permission for the development. He told Edinburgh Evening News: “This is very disappointing. While there is such great need for housing in Edinburgh, this is the wrong decision for Oxgangs. At least part of this land was earmarked for housing. When there is pressure on green belt land in other parts of Edinburgh and the council has already reported difficulty in identifying land to meet its own housing quotas, it defies belief that it thinks we need yet another supermarket here.”
Despite the opposition, a spokesperson for Aldi told SLR: “I can confirm Aldi is the preferred bidder for the Oxgangs site and is now concluding the legal agreement with City of Edinburgh Council. We will be bringing forward our plans shortly and intend to consult widely with the local community.” Fighting back Dennis and Linda wasted no time in ensuring the plans will be met with the sternest opposition. Meetings were quickly convened with their local councillor, MSP and MP. “It’s so important for retailers to have relationships with their local politicians,” says Dennis. “In our game, I don’t know if enough retailers do – and when you need their support, it helps when that relationship exists.” As well as political support there’s been a groundswell of support from the community, highlighted by an online petition set up by Linda. It says simply: “Please prioritise social/affordable housing on brownfield sites in Edinburgh, rather than allow commercial/supermarket development.”
At the time of writing, over 1,600 individuals had signed the petition. “We’ve got over 500 signatures in the shop too,” says Dennis. The loyalty Dennis and Linda have shown their shoppers is being repaid in spades and it is very hard for politicians to ignore large scale protests from voters. By spending 30 years binding their ties to the Oxgangs community, Broadway Convenience Store is a perfect example of how shoppers will stand by their local retailer. Dennis says: “It shows the loyalty of our customers.
They are strongly saying they don’t want this new Aldi – if they did they’d be happy, not penning letters to their MP and MSP voicing their disapproval.” Spreading the word The success of the petition also highlights how effectively modern communications tools can be leveraged by retailers to advance their cause. Dennis and Linda have made extensive use of social media to highlight their plight and drive support. What’s more, the massive reach of Twitter and Facebook means that support has come from right across the UK with messages of support coming from fellow retailers, industry bodies, trade magazines and more. Time will tell what happens with the bid to repel Aldi but let’s hope that the way Dennis and Linda are fighting this battle could end up serving as a fantastic case study in how to beat the once all-powerful supermarkets back.
By sticking up for their business and their community, Dennis and Linda are sending a message to the council and to the wider community. As local retailers ourselves, we at SLR share the fears the Williams are experiencing. We had a new Aldi open half a mile from Woodlands Local just a few months ago but, fortunately, it’s far enough away not to have made much impact. loyalty works both ways The entire local retailing industry wishes Dennis and Linda the very best of luck in the battle, but the pair’s experience demonstrates admirably the benefits of truly being the beating heart of the community you serve. Aldi, Lidl, Tesco and the rest will never enjoy that same level of relationship with the communities they serve. Never.
The issue won’t be resolved soon. From the initial consultation the council will then receive plans, which will need to be approved, taking the fight all the way into summer. “I really hope we can do it, I really do” says Dennis. “I believe we can make a difference. We’ve put our point across in a strong, structured way.” To show your support for your fellow local retailer, visit www.change.org and search for ‘Broadway Convenience Store.’
The customers’ view
Of the 1,600+ signatories of Broadway Convenience Store’s petition against the opening of an Aldi store nearby, many are regular customers who have made their feelings known: “The area is already well served by stores. Affordable or social housing would be more beneficial to the area and the businesses that already operate within it.” – Jennifer Bowden “Linda and Dennis are the heart of their community. Build housing not cheap supermarkets.” – Simon Digby “Existing supermarkets and local shops would be forced to close. Edinburgh needs more affordable housing.” – Lewis McKay “There are two supermarkets within close proximity already. This proposal will directly impact the independent traders who currently operate in the Broadway and are actively involved in the community. The last thing we need in this area is more closed independent shopfronts and another faceless big brand.” – David McBean
