Treats in store for Kidlington (From Oxford Mail)

Treats in store for Kidlington

2:10pm Saturday 7th April 2012 in News By Tom Jennings, covering Witney and West Oxfordshire. Call me on 01865 425403

A new supermarket is set to open in Kidlington – replacing the family-run favourite that shut after 30 years of trading.

The Midcounties Co-operative say they will open in the former J & Sons convenience store, in Oxford Road, at the end of May or early June J & Sons announced in January it would close, after 30 years, because the stress of running the business proved too much for its owners.

The Co-operative announ-cement comes just weeks before Kidlington High Street becomes pedestrianised later this month.

Kidlington Parish Council chairman David Betts said: “Firstly, we are disappointed that J & Sons are gone because they served the village for a long time.

“But on the other hand we are anxious to see shops filled with grocery stores rather than just services or food outlets.

“Clearly that is going to be beneficial, particularly to people that side of the road.

“Filled shops are also an indication that Kidlington is still alive and people are using the facilities there. It is good news for the village.”

Tim Emptage, Cherwell District Council member for Kidlington South, said: “It is good that the shop will continue and the Co-operative will continue to offer that service in the locality.”

Cars will be banned from High Street, Kidlington’s main shopping precinct, on Monday, April 16 – three years after the parish council first put forward the idea.

High Street will be closed to all vehicles, except those with permits, between 10am and 4.30pm every day on the stretch between Oxford Road and Watts Road.

Blue badge holders, cyclists and deliveries will still be allowed to use the street although no waiting will be allowed except for loading.

Those flouting the rules could be fined £30 by police.