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

9:08am Friday 2nd November 2012 in Latest News 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)

12:02pm Fri 2 Nov 12

carer 123 says...

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?)
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?) carer 123

3:19pm Fri 2 Nov 12

€d says...

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.
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. €d

5:10pm Fri 2 Nov 12

carer 123 says...

€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???
[quote][p][bold]€d[/bold] 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.[/p][/quote]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??? carer 123

8:02pm Fri 2 Nov 12

Mike Hawkins says...

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!!
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!! Mike Hawkins

10:44pm Fri 2 Nov 12

cght36 says...

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!!!
[quote][p][bold]Mike Hawkins[/bold] 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!![/p][/quote]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!!! cght36

5:47am Sat 3 Nov 12

old 'arry says...

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

10:18am Mon 5 Nov 12

RenaultF1 says...

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......
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...... RenaultF1

2:07pm Tue 6 Nov 12

cght36 says...

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!!!
[quote][p][bold]RenaultF1[/bold] 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......[/p][/quote]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!!! cght36

8:41pm Wed 7 Nov 12

george1 says...

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.
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. george1

11:07pm Wed 7 Nov 12

yeold6x says...

perhaps Aldi could pull the beams out of the rubble and donate them to English Hertiage if they are that bothered about them? :-)
perhaps Aldi could pull the beams out of the rubble and donate them to English Hertiage if they are that bothered about them? :-) yeold6x

9:41am Thu 8 Nov 12

JoDope says...

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

12:32am Fri 9 Nov 12

old naughty says...

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

7:39am Fri 9 Nov 12

Mrs Donnyfly says...

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

9:12pm Sat 10 Nov 12

andrew King says...

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,
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, andrew King

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