Aldi begins demolition job on former pub despite campaign to save it

9:08am Friday 2nd November 2012 in Westbury By Will Frampton

The scene on Thursday morning after demolition started on the Old Oak Inn The scene on Thursday morning after demolition started on the Old Oak Inn

Supermarket chain Aldi has begun to demolish the Old Oak Inn in Westbury despite a campaign to get the building preserved.

The race between the company building a new store and car park, and the campaigners hoping to save a piece of the town’s heritage, effectively came to an end when the diggers moved in on Wednesday.

Aldi declined to comment on the demolition work but, with English Heritage still preparing the application to ‘list’ the building, its 16th century ceiling beams and other historic features look likely to be lost.

Campaigner Alex Prowse, of Alfred Street, who has run an online petition to save the pub, said he believed Aldi would lose support in the town for rushing ahead with the demolition.

“I think they are going to find that the people of Westbury will not be supporting them – most of the people who have signed our petition are from the town,” he said.

“No one is against the store being there, it is good for the town, but it could have existed side-by-side with this wonderful building. To demolish it is sheer vandalism. We won’t forget what has happened.”

Aldi won permission to build on the former Oval Peugeot site in Warminster Road in 2008, and has been widely welcomed by the town.

Wiltshire and Westbury councillor Mike Cuthbert-Murray defended the company’s actions, saying many regard the derelict pub as an eye-sore. He said: “There has been no interest in that building for 10 years, why should anyone be able to come up with a use for it now?

“When it is demolished they will be widening the road and pavement along Warminster Road, which will make it safer for pedestrians.”

Comments(14)

carer 123 says...
12:02pm Fri 2 Nov 12

too little way to late. if these people who had signed the petition really cared for this building then they would have done something to put a stop to it years ago when the plans were first put out in the public domain . same old people campaigning to halt things in our town when it wont even affect them as they live miles away. surely more jobs, another viable business coming to town, hopefully bring people in or passing traffic since the bypass haas been stopped. better paths for pushchairs and wheelchairs ( have you ever tried walking along that part of town with someone who needs help by holding onto your arm? or a pushchair with a toddler holding onto the side?)

Report this post »

€d says...
3:19pm Fri 2 Nov 12

Alex says "most of the people who have signed our petition are from the town,”

No they didn't 23 out of the 163 are from Westbury people, that's not most by any stretch of the imagination.

Report this post »

carer 123 says...
5:10pm Fri 2 Nov 12

€d wrote:
Alex says "most of the people who have signed our petition are from the town,”

No they didn't 23 out of the 163 are from Westbury people, that's not most by any stretch of the imagination.
someone is exaggerating arent they?

the first signature on the petition was 13 days ago... its been known since 2008 what was going to happen to it ... why leave it until this late date to stir up a fuss???

Report this post »

Mike Hawkins says...
8:02pm Fri 2 Nov 12

The activists have had no interest in the building for the last 10+ years, wanted it listed at the 11th hour, but had no idea of what use it could serve (other than being a "Listed" ruin) and would have expected the local taxpayers to fund their dream!

Also, 23 out of 163 is NOT a majority! I would also respectfully suggest that, 23 locals from a population in excess of 14,000 is hardly "popular support".

I agree with Councillor Mike Cuthbert-Murray, these publicists have shown no interest in the past, the Aldi store will benefit Westbury, and road safety improvements will be made.

C'mon Aldi, finish the demolition and get building!!

Report this post »

cght36 says...
10:44pm Fri 2 Nov 12

Mike Hawkins wrote:
The activists have had no interest in the building for the last 10+ years, wanted it listed at the 11th hour, but had no idea of what use it could serve (other than being a "Listed" ruin) and would have expected the local taxpayers to fund their dream!

Also, 23 out of 163 is NOT a majority! I would also respectfully suggest that, 23 locals from a population in excess of 14,000 is hardly "popular support".

I agree with Councillor Mike Cuthbert-Murray, these publicists have shown no interest in the past, the Aldi store will benefit Westbury, and road safety improvements will be made.

C'mon Aldi, finish the demolition and get building!!
Totally agree its yet another eyesore that will just be left to rack and ruin, the quicker its knocked down the better and im from Westbury!! Always some nosey do gooder from outside the area having to stick their 10 pence worth in!!! Im sure there are penty of Westbury people who would gladly go along and help Aldi knock the eye sore down!!!

Report this post »

old 'arry says...
5:47am Sat 3 Nov 12

Tis a bit late to be sowing winter greens now, but yer spring beans could go into a sheltered spot.

Report this post »

RenaultF1 says...
10:18am Mon 5 Nov 12

The building was old very dirty and an eyesore and if people really cared why haven't they done something before but don't worry the 163 people that signed the petition you can start another one to stop the old Eastleigh surgery being bought by developers and the old hospital site eventually being sold off and flattened for housing!!!!

The thing that makes me laugh is that the 163 people that signed will all most probably end up shopping in there it's just a bunch of trouble makers with nothing better to do......

Report this post »

cght36 says...
2:07pm Tue 6 Nov 12

RenaultF1 wrote:
The building was old very dirty and an eyesore and if people really cared why haven't they done something before but don't worry the 163 people that signed the petition you can start another one to stop the old Eastleigh surgery being bought by developers and the old hospital site eventually being sold off and flattened for housing!!!!

The thing that makes me laugh is that the 163 people that signed will all most probably end up shopping in there it's just a bunch of trouble makers with nothing better to do......
Glad to see the demolition is going really well!! Went past this morning, a few more days and the monstrocity will be gone. Good riddance and welcome Aldi!!!

Report this post »

george1 says...
8:41pm Wed 7 Nov 12

well said. when i lived opposite many years ago i knew it was going to be a supermarket and no petition was raised then. i am all for saving our old buildings but i have to agree, it is nasty to look at and i am sure the resisdents opposite will be glad to see it gone.
perhaps those fighting should turn their attention and energies into trying to bring the bypass argument back to the forefront of everyones attention.

Report this post »

yeold6x says...
11:07pm Wed 7 Nov 12

perhaps Aldi could pull the beams out of the rubble and donate them to English Hertiage if they are that bothered about them? :-)

Report this post »

JoDope says...
9:41am Thu 8 Nov 12

Can I suggest that the demolition team do us all a favour and flatten the rest of Westbury as well.

Report this post »

old naughty says...
12:32am Fri 9 Nov 12

I would demolish Trowbridge first jodope the whole town is an eyesore, westbury isnt as bad as some places round here.

Report this post »

Mrs Donnyfly says...
7:39am Fri 9 Nov 12

old naughty wrote:
I would demolish Trowbridge first jodope the whole town is an eyesore, westbury isnt as bad as some places round here.
That's right. And to think on top of everything else Westbury boasts it's getting an Aldi supermarket. Residents must be beside themselves.

Report this post »

andrew King says...
9:12pm Sat 10 Nov 12

I was sad to see the demolition start, but I was happy that the site is being used and that makes the area more vibrant, and more of some form of local economy, for me I had to take many pictures for my memories, but I also found across the local news sites, videos of the demolition, take a look at this video at www.southdemolition.
co.uk its shows the demolition in full,

Report this post »

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree