Following several rumours about Tesco coming to Hoylake it can now be confirmed that the supermarket giant is interested in opening a Tesco store in the village.
I’d discussed the matter with Jackie Hall MBE last month and since then Jackie has made contact with Tesco who have now confirmed that are considering the Punch Bowl as a site for a Tesco Express. In response to a letter to Tesco, UK communications director Michael Kissman replied:
Your email is timely. The [Punch Bowl] has been advertised for sale for a while and we are considering if it is a suitable location for a Tesco Express convenience store. To reassure you, we are very keen to speak with the local community before any plans are progressed. This is part of a wider commitment to consult local people before every Tesco development.
Several HoylakeJunction.com have previously asked me if the Blue Anchor was being considered as a suitable Tesco site, even though the pub is not for sale. Other readers have wondered if The Ship Inn, which is for sale (or lease), would be considered for redevelopment.
What do you think?
- Does Hoylake need another mini-supermarket – Tesco obviously thinks it might?
- Hoylake already has a Co-op and a Sainsbury’s Local of course – does three make a crowd?
- Is the Punch Bowl a suitable site for a Tesco store? There aren’t published plans of how the empty building might be converted (or perhaps even demolished).
- Would the Market Street/Trinity Road junction become a bottle-neck?
- Is the Punch Bowl becoming an eyesore on Market Street and would benefit by being converted to a supermarket?
- What effect would a new store have on local, independent traders?
- Would new jobs in the village be a bonus?
Have your say in the comments below. Constructive comments only please  – thank you very much!
[UPDATE: 20-June]
- The timing could well be purely coincidental but a ‘For Lease’ sign went up on the Blue Anchor the other day. Arguments against having another supermarket in the village perhaps should not only focus on one particular building?
- For campaigning against Tesco visit: tescopoly.org
- Who is in favour of having another mini-supermarket in Hoylake? All the big supermarket companies are expanding their store networks, not just Tesco. How would you feel about having an M&S Simply Food store or a little Waitrose on Market Street?
- One HoylakeJunction reader who wishes to remain anonymous asks: Â ‘shop local’ is fine in principle but isn’t it part of the deal that local traders should offer a just-as-good or even better product and service than the big corporates?
- Thanks for the constructive comments …keep them coming!
Well I can see car parking would become a major issue. I cant see how you would create space for cars to park to be honest, so would it even be viable for Tescos to have a store here? And do we really need so many shops in Hoylake? I do hope the Council sees common sense and refuses planning permission for this venture. And I hope there is a proper consultation with the residents in Hoylake and this is not just pushed through like so many things do these days in the name of profit and multinational greed. By all means redevelop the Punch Bowl but with some thought and common sense!!!
I would be very sorry to see another mini-supermarket opening in Hoylake. We already have Sainsbury’s, Cooperative and Home Bargains. We have an excellent butcher and greengrocer’s and several other specialist shops which meet all our needs. I pride myself on being able to use local shops here, and another mini-supermarket will only drive more nails into their coffins. Please can we promote our local shops? Thank you.
Tesco don’t worry about that. They recently demolished the ‘Plough’ in Moreton to build a Tesco Express but rest assured, they only carry the 100 top items that are experienced in their Bidston store.
Overall, they do not present much of a competition overall, but what would you logically & economically do with the building in the present financial climate?
You can guarantee that Wirral BC will do sod all because they do not have the funds, so where does that leave you? An art centre? where is the funding coming from?? – forget it it is just not available – even if your MP is the most died in the wool Tory there has ever been you still stand no chance.
A block of flats? where is the housing Association that would take it on, bearing in mind the listed status of the building?
Mow that Tesco have decided not to go ahead in Hoylake, they are now planning for a store in Wallasey Village and getting quite a bit of grief there as well. We now have TWO Tesco stores in Moreton but the selection there is pretty abysmal, they seem to expect everyone to go to the Bidston store but that is fine if you have a car, if not – TOUGH!
I can certainly understand the worries of local people, particularly the problem of PARKING. Though considering what they did with the site of the PLOUGH on Moreton that will probably not be a problem except that people may well use Tesco car park to visit local shops but can I point out to all that, if Moreton is anything to go by, local shops have nothing to worry about since Tesco Express will usually stock the 100 most popular items at the Bidston store which, believe me, does not give a reasonable choice and NO I don’t work for TESCO, I’m simply someone who has used the Moreton Tesco Express and can’t be bothered to go there unless it is for things we need quickly, such as a pint of milk, a loaf of bread – not much choice – or a can of beer, much better choice but not much.
Can tesco s explain how they will manage the parking, the parking for Alderley road can be a nightmare for residents, even trying to drive down the road to get home can be bad as some people insist on waiting by the entrance to sainsbury’s till there is a space for parking as if it is their right to do so, instead of realising that they are blocking a public road and preventing people from driving up and down it.
Parking in Hoylake is at a premium, yes there is on road parking, the main road is fine for that, but for residents who would love to park outside their home very often cant because of people who park whilst they do their shopping,
Personally I have no objection to Tesco’s its just the parking that worries me, as I do not think the Punchbowl site is big enough to hold a car park. I hope that Don is right and parking won’t be a problem for the residents of Trinity Road and Shaw St as it is bad enough now,
I fully endorse the comments made above, especially the parking – there is nowhere to park a car other than the wide pavement on the corner of Trinity Road. As I understand it, althopugh I could be wrong, the Punch Bowl is a listed building so how are Tesco going to be able to open the site up for car parking? Also, Market Street is conjested enough so do we need to clog it up any further??
Parking in Hoylake can be a problem, only made worse by having an extra supermarket, but believe me, that will be nothing like the damage that an extra Tesco store would do to Hoylake.
The money we spend locally will simply boost Tesco’s already huge profits with the loss to the local economy.
A new store will damage local food retailers… as a result they may well close.
Jobs in local food production and retail will be at a grave risk of being lost.
Supermarket Food is massively packaged… environmentally wasteful.
Supermarket food is brought to our town by large fume producing lorries.
A great deal is said about ‘saving our high streets’ and supporting the local economy.
How about we practise what we preach, keep our local money local, by buying local and help the environment at the same time.
Tell Tescos to go home and leave us alone. It’s pretty obvious they are not wanted in Hoylake. The Residents are well catered for already!
Yes! I agree! They sooner the realize that the present situation is a non-fixtures is the routine demises
But why did Tesco leave Hoylake years ago when I lived there back in the late 60s there was a Tesco store so what happened ??
I agree with much of what has already been recorded. Though the ‘Punch’ may be a listed building it has no architectural appeal so if it could be demolished & replaced with something more attractive I don’t think many tears would be shed. I wouldn’t have thought the site big enough anyway. However, I don’t believe we need another convenience store, especially on a site that would cause traffic problems as Sainsbury’s does, though it is a more acceptable outlet than some I could mention. As for jobs, what’s the point of putting more independent traders out of business? They then have no work!
Well I for one would be upset if the Punch Bowl was knocked down. I think it’s a fine old building which really fits into Hoylake and should be looked after if possible. Jim (above) says that although the building is listed it has ‘no architectural appeal’ – I always thought buildings only got listed because of their architecture. Anyway, I too wonder about the need for another small supermarket, and feel that adding the Tesco’s might mean the end of the Coop, although this would be partly their own fault because they haven’t really kept up with the Sainsbury’s. One other good possibility for the Punch Bowl could be offices – seeing the brilliant job that Willson Grange did with the old salerooms on the Quadrant, perhaps another company could do something similar here – and there wouldn’t be such a parking problem.
I don’t think that the Punch Bowl is a Listed building. And until plans are published, we won’t know what Tesco want to do with it.
There seem to be a lot of people talking about parking. Parking may be an issue in Hoylake but it is not the most important issue here.
People should realise that Almost EVERY penny of a pound spent with a local business will be ploughed back into improving your town or village. Almost EVERY penny of a pound spent at a supermarket will leave the area for good. Is that what we want? Multinational supermarkets and no local traders? As was said before – put your money where your mouth is and SHOP LOCAL!
i agree with you that small business will suffer.and they are now so it will be bad news on that alone.Hoylake is loosing to many landmarks of late and its a shame that the pub has gone this way and that no other ideas can be thought of like hungry horse pub?.A few places were listed but it doesnt stop them pulling it down damn shame if ti happens.
Quite right- couldn’t have put it better myself.
I think Tesco pulled out of Hoylake because they were switching to superstores. Wasn’t it around the time they moved from Pensby Road in Heswall to the old hospital site on Telegraph Road as the they could build a much bigger store? Unfortunately our planning laws are awful, remember that Sainsburys got pernission for a store in the car park of the Red Cat. The “localism” agenda was meant to improve things, but I’ve yet to see any evidence.
We need more local shops, not supermarkets.
We need to buy and eat local, seasonal, produce.
If we want our local shops we need to support them. People seem to think that the supermarkets are cheaper, but they are not always – and if you add in the adverse environmental impact in terms of packaging, food miles, etc, then they are definitely not cheaper, in the long run.
Worryingly, my understanding is that because it’s a Pub, then Tesco don’t need Planning Permission. If you look at many Tesco stores that have opened in the past few years around the UK, then you will see that quite a lot of them are on the sites of pubs. So, my concern is whether this could very easily be pushed through without any formal planning process or without listening to the community.
(I think that the only things that actually go to planning permission is stuff like an illuminated sign or actual changes to the building or constructing a car park etc.)
There are many reasons why Tesco is Not a good idea in Hoylake nor on the punchbowl site. (Many of the reasons are listed above, but there are plenty more reasons too!) In contrast, there are few reasons why Tesco Is a good idea on this site. So if we look at the situation logically and thoroughly – and take into account local democracy and the local economy – then the balanced conclusion is a significant ‘no’ to Tesco.
Is anyone organising a local campaign?
I feel that we have quite enough supermarkets in the area. What we need is more small traders to bring some heart back into Hoylake. I can only see a further decline in the town if Tesco are allowed to open.
It would be a nightmare to have a tescos here. we live in Trinity Road just up from the punch and parking is already a nightmare in our road. We do not need another supermarket, we are trying to boost the local trade and economy and tescos would not help this. Our road would become even more busy than it is now with people using it as a cut through
Personally, I would rather we had an M+S Simply Food or a mini Waitrose if there was to be any form of mini-supermarket built on the site. Fed up of finding Tesco on every high street – about time we has something different.
I now live in Allerton Liverpool and we are surrounded by Tesco stores one super store (which was once
a school) and three more within a radius of two miles. A s a expat of Hoylake don’t let them in! they are
insidious sprouting up everywhere wherever a building becomes empty they will take it over.
Hoylake is looking great these days I remember when they took over when the Kingsway cinema
closed but they didn’t stay long thankfully. fight the good fight!
I made contact with the CEO of Tesco who referred me to his Deputies. I have spoken to them.
They assure me they are keen to work with the Community when they get to Contract.
Too late then.
I have invited them to come and hear our views which are ‘ WE DO NOT WANT ABNOTHER SUPERMARKET.’
There is a site called TESCOPOLY which I have registered us with and they help campaigns against Supermarkets.
If they keep the building they do not need Planning Permission or change of use.
WE NEED TO SHOP LOCAL and keep our local traders in business.
I will be in Melrose Hall from 10am to 11-30am on Friday if you are passing come and sign a Petition against, or better still come and Lead the Campaign.
It will then be in the HELP SHOP.
Hi Jackie! Agree! Is there any chance a meeting could be held in the evening or on a Saturday? Us 9-5ers cannot make weekdays 🙂
The idea of Friday was to launch the Petition. Anyone who can take pages and get them signed will be most welcome.
The idea is to gather evidence from the Community that we are opposed to another Supermarket and it is not just a few against, and to make people aware of what is happening.
I am quite happy to hold a meeting at night or Saturday but I am waiting for Tesco to get back to me with a date they will attend to organise such a meeting.
thanks Jackie. Look forward to hearing more.
The decision on whether they open or not will be made on points of law. Local people opposed the Tesco Express on Pensby Road, Pensby, and the Sainsburys on the Heswall stretch of Pensby Road, where the car dealers used to be, but they were all approved, like the Sainsburys due to be built on the Red Cat car park in Greasby. Like I said earlier the law is the problem. You need to change the law really and it’s probably too late for that. I know some of the Greasby people were quite disillusioned with the so-called “localism” agenda when it failed to stop that application.
Here is a very useful website where you can find out what tescos get up to and how to combat them
http://www.tescopoly.org/
Wasnt the Stanley hotel building a listed building ? And we all know what happened to that just about the most busy pub on the Wirral at the time. There is certainly not enough room where the punch bowl is for a supermarket with adequate parking
Please No Tesco !!!!!!! Hoylake is changing from a lovely little village into a clone of everywhere else. There are ample supermarkets already PLEASE SAY NO to Tesco !!!!!!!!!!!!!
If we are going to stop places like tesco open up in Hoylake ( and I say “like tesco” because there is a bigger picture here – it’s not all about tesco!), then we are going to have to take action and tell them we will boycott them. Tesco have online shopping, home delivery and long opening hours. This is something that people working 9-5 use and I am sympathetic to that. However, unfortunately by using these services we are reinforcing their perception that Hoylake needs a store and therefore damaging our local businesses. Plan ahead, do your local shopping on a Saturday and lets see if we can persuade some of our local businesses to open longer hours. We must not let tesco appear and ruin a very unique village. If they do open, I for one will not be shopping there. And think of the poor residents in trinity road who would have to put up with larges scale shop deliveries and more foot fall. Lets show the big guns what Hoylake has got! An amazing and strong community with a real respect for the truly local economy.
It’s not just Trinity Road that will suffer. Elm Grove will, too, and we’re already under constant siege from parents of children at the dance school. So no to a supermarket and no to a theatre or school, too!
It would be better off being converted to three or four decent sized apartments.
Has anyone thought of using the Community Right to Bid? As I understand it buildings which have been used by a community can be purchased by a community. I know the Punch Bowl would cost a lot but it could be put to good community use. A theatre? art school? I’m sure lots of people could come up with ideas and I believe there is funding to get this sort of project off the ground.
Of course, for something of this nature to be successful, it would be absolutely essential for the group/groups who are interested to be absolutely transparent and open with the local community.
It would keep another supermarket out of Hoylake and provide a ‘hub’ for local interest.
I for one will NOT support the proposed Tesco store for Hoylake. I feel the support of local independent traders and producers is so important. Apart from preserving the character of the town, these traders can provide unique and quality products that people want, but not seen in supermarkets. Joan is quite right to express concern about Hoylake becoming like everwhere else. For me it would be a breath of fresh air to see the lion’s share taken by supermarkets decline significantly , giving other traders an opportunity for a fair slice of the cake.
Hoylake Village Life has an alternative idea for the Punch Bowl site, they are wanting WMBC to list the building as an ‘Asset of Community Value’ and put forward the idea of an Arts Centre which could include a single screen Cinema to include a cafe/restaurant/bar, stage area, gallery & meeting room.
More info on the HVL site http://www.hoylakevillage.org.uk
I’ve read with interest all the contributions above.
The Punch Bowl building clearly has a lot of support unlike the prospect of a new aggressive, multinational, convenience store.
Competition in retailing is SAID TO BE valuable… where will the competition be if all the local independent traders are squeezed out? … What then?
There are some good ideas for the Punch Bowl that would add to the quality of community life in Hoylake, but what a shame it would be, if Tesco slipped in whilst we are all debating The Punch Bowl alternatives!
The process will go fast and we need to be clear!
Frankly, it’s the people in the immediate vicinity who should be consulted on this because parking here is already absolutely horrendous. All very well suggesting daft – and of course unfinanced – ideas about art centres when it’s not your home you can’t park outside.
That said, it’s heartening to see some people take some action and I’d urge everyone to sign the petition against Tesco, which I just did in the Co op.
Tesco setting up in Hoylake will result in shop closures and boarded up shops on Market Street then lead to less people visiting (walking) through our town. Hoylake is one of the few areas on Wirral that has a busy high street with local shops. Tesco are already nearby so no extra trade will come to Hoylake they would take shoppers from our green grocers, bakers, butchers etc.
It’s all very well saying no to Tesco but what else is the building good for?
Pubs are closing nationally, people shop online to save money, nobody has the money to eat out and support yet another fast food / restaurant. And I doubt that the council can afford to house some sort of social project there.
So without any other suggestions, it’s a derelict pub or Tesco metro.
We suggested to the Owner some time ago that Apartments would be lovely in the building.
Developers for Apartments have looked at it but feel the asking price excessive at this time.
Maybe that is what will happen if Tesco do not go to Contract.
It has been confirmed to me this morning by the Corporate Affairs Director for Tesco they have not bought the Punch Bowl.
It has been sold to someone else.
They have no further interest in Hoylake at the present time.
We are led to believe the rumour about Apartments seems to be true.
Here’s hoping!!!!
I NOW LIVE IN URMSTON NEAR MANCHESTER, WHERE A NEW SHOPPING CENTRE HAS OPENED
AND THIS HAS BEEN GOOD FOR THE LOCAL SMALL SHOPS BECOUSE SOME OLD BUILDINGS AND
AND PARK LAND WAS GIVEN OVER TO CAR PARKS .THIS BROUGHT IN MORE CUSTOMERS FOR
BOTH THE THREE OR FOUR SUPER MARKETS AND THE SMALL HIGH SREET SHOPS.
AND ALL THIS ONLY 2 MILES FROM THE TRAFFORD CENTRE.!!!!!!!!!!
THE BEST THING FOR ALL WOULD BE PULL THE OLD PUB DOWN AND BUILD A TWO STORY
CAR PARK .
hoylake needs more parking space to bring in more business
Arthur Roberts, I think your right Arthur a two tier car park would be the answer to eliminating the parking problem in the adjoining streets because no matter what you replace the Pub with, be it shops or apartments there is still no where to park, by the way do you still have those books on world war 1 we used to look at when we came out of school, I think you used to live in Newton road then, I think you must have lived in Urmston now for about 50yrs. Brian
HI BRIAN
YES I REMENBER THOSE BOOKS BUT THEY BELONGED TO POP MY GRANDDAD
I HAVE LIVED HERE SINCE I WAS 13 THAT IS 62 YEARS!!!!!!!!
MOM & DAD MOVED BACK TO HOYLAKE WHEN DAD RETIRED AND MY WIFE & I
UESD TO SEND OUR WEEKENDS WITH THEM’
HOYLAKE COULD LEARN A LOT FROM URMSTON
3-4 YEARS AGO SHOPS BOTH LARGE AND SMALL WERE CLOSING DOWN
NOW I DONOT THINK THAT THERE IS ONE EMPTY.
BRIAN REMIND ME OF YOUR SURMANE
ARTHUR
BRIAN
NOT YOUR SURMANE BUT YOUR SURNAME
FULL SPEED AHEAD HOYLAKE!!!
AND DAM THE NIMBY.S
ARTHUR EXPATE
Such a shame that this is now unlikely. There is no future in local trade so any chance to boost the local economy would be great. Hoylake now has no highstreet, except for numerous bars and the odd charity shop. If this even provided even five jobs for NEETS, people my own age, it would be a start in fixing the plight of youth unemployment.
Hi Mike,
Have you walked along Market Street recently ?… you will find a butcher, a baker, a fishmonger and a green grocer. There are also several convenience stores and 3 supermarkets… and that’s just for buying food.
We also have a bike shop, a watchmaker, and a skatebord business, a photographic business, tool shop [or tools for hire], a carpet shop, and a carphone warehouse, computer shops, a stationers, drycleaners and an alteration/sewing business… and there are businesses on the Carr Lane estate.
None of the above takes away the pain/difficulty/frustration of NEETs, but don’t knock the hard work or jobs provided by the existing businesses….. and don’t be fooled by the idea that large supermarkets provide jobs. Yes, they provide some jobs, but they also put other businesses out of business… bang go jobs! Look at the evidence!