TESCO has confirmed it is in talks to run a click and collect service to help vulnerable customers on the Cowley Road while its store there is shut for building work.
The Tesco Metro on the East Oxford road is due to close in the next few weeks so 137 student flats can be built in an extension over the top of the building.
Locals have claimed that closing the shop will leave them without an important nearby store where they can buy essentials, with councillors warning the closure would lead to a higher demand on other supermarkets like a nearby Sainsbury, with potential for extra risk of spreading coronavirus.
Local councillors for St Mary’s Ward, Dick Wolff and Craig Simmons, have now said they are in discussion with the supermarket giant to provide a click and collect service in the car park behind the shop for the 30-week duration of the closure.
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Mr Simmons, a Green party councillor, said: “This is not a replacement service for a store, but it will provide a cushion for the most vulnerable people in the community who are not as mobile or able to travel distances to another store for low-cost groceries.”
Once the deal is finalised, Tesco will provide a 48-slot click and collect service every day of the week for the planned 30-week store closure.
This will allow people living nearby to order their food shopping on the Tesco website, and then collect it from a delivery van at the car park behind the Cowley Road store.
Mr Simmons added that he and fellow councillor Mr Wolff were also encouraging people in East Oxford to visit small businesses on the Cowley Road too.
He said: “The real concern we have is the reduction in footfall on the Cowley Road if Tesco closes. We want to talk more about smaller businesses and the effect this will have on them too.”
The councillor added he had plans to create an online directory of Cowley Road businesses where residents could shop instead of visiting a supermarket.
A Tesco spokesperson confirmed discussions were still taking place about the temporary service.
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They said: “We want to continue to support our customers during the temporary closure of our Cowley Road Metro store this summer whilst the store undergoes a significant refresh.
“We’re in discussions with the Council about options for a local click and collect service for our customers and we are working with them to find a suitable solution.”
Plans to build 137 student flats above the Cowley Road Tesco were agreed in late 2019 by planning chiefs on Oxford City Council.
The scheme was praised by planning committee members for enhancing the architecture of the existing building, while extending the top of it with several extra floors of living accommodation.
When hoardings to prepare for work began to appear earlier this year, residents contacted this paper to say they were worried about the long trips they may have to take to go to other supermarkets.
At the time, Tesco invited them to visit other shops it has in Oxford, many of which are within a five-mile radius of Cowley Road.
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