Sir – Few of your readers will have memories of the 1950s when the now semi-derelict Botley precinct was built.

A large part of Botley was open fields. Few people had a car or television. Rationing was still in force.

There were no convenience or foreign foods. Self-service and supermarkets were unknown. Incomes and expectations were unrecognisably lower.


Today “better” has to mean “bigger”. A full-scale supermarket would not only meet present-day requirements but significantly reduce traffic, as journeys to those at Kidlington, Heyford Hill and Abingdon would no longer be necessary. A delivery service would lead to further reductions.
J.A. Dukes, Oxford