Tills Ring Out as Two Food Stores Open On The Same Day In Guildford

Published on: 5 Nov, 2015
Updated on: 5 Nov, 2015

Two brand new food stores have opened in Guildford on the same day.

Customers gathered early on Thursday, November 5, at both Waitrose in Haydon Place in the town centre and at Aldi in London Road, Burpham.

Final count down 20 minutes to go at Aldi.

A crowd of around 100 waited patiently for the opening at Aldi and were provided with hot drinks and food in the car park. It was opened by the Mayor of Guildford, Nikki Nelson-Smith, at 8am.

Bacon sandwiches, hot drinks, biscuits...

Bacon sandwiches, hot drinks and biscuits outside Aldi in Burpham.

Staff gather outside Waitrose in Guildford.

At about the same time, the ribbon was cut at Waitrose by a number of those who had worked at the previous Waitrose in Guildford in the 1960s and 70s. The Deputy Mayor of Guildford, Gordon Jackson, also attended the opening.

Staff At Waitrose were ready and waiting for the opening, all trained over the last month in the jobs they will be doing.

The manager of Waitrose Guildford, Ken Storr, and staff member Laura Tester.

Laura Tester, 27, from Guildford, is working in customer service and in the cash office. She said: “I had been wanting to work for the John Lewis Partnership for some time and it was a long-winded process getting my application in and getting this job.

“But Waitrose is a fantastic company to work for. The training has been excellent, everyone is so nice, and it all runs so smoothly.”

Staff at Aldi at Burpham.

Back at Aldi, Julie Leverington from Burpham was there to see her grandson take part in the opening with other local school children. She said: “I think the store looks really lovely and I must admit I am pleasantly surprised. I will be shopping here. I think the prices are really affordable. I am not at all worried about the impact on traffic.

Some of the first items selected in the veg section at Aldi.

Mary Anne Stockley from Merrow queued from 7.35am to be one of the first shoppers. She said: “I used to regularly shop at the Aldi in Walton, so I am really pleased that this one has opened. I like the prices and the quality. I have been very well looked after while I wait, someone brought me a bacon sandwich. I will definitely be a regular shopper.”

The manager of Guildford Waitrose is Ken Storr, who has worked for Waitrose for 31 years. He has transferred from its Wandsworth branch. He said: “The Guildford store is similar in size to other branches, but of course has the latest shelving, lighting and other fixtures.

“It has been a challenging build process that has not been without its delays. But everyone has pulled together for today’s opening and we have had a brilliant morning.”

Staff who began work a month ago in anticipation of the store’s previous opening date have been deployed at other branches in the area where they have completed their training.

Nigel Watkins has worked for Waitrose for 46 years.

One of those former Guildford Waitrose store employees is Nigel Watkins, who joined Waitrose in Guildford working weekends when he was still at school.

He then joined full-time and has remained with the company for 47 years. He retired at the age of 60 as a store manager, but continues to work part-time at the Surbiton store.

A number of employees at the former Guildford Waitrose store were invited to the opening of the new one and presented with a framed picture and details of the old shop. Pictured with them is store manager Ken Storr.

He said: “The old store in Guildford was not a particularly good site. It had previously been occupied by a motor garage and the oil from the cars seeped up through the floor. It ruined your shoes!”

Doug Stanniforth was an early shopper at Waitrose.

One of the early customers was Doug Stanniforth from cycle shop Pedal Pushers in Stoke Road. He had dropped in on his way to his own shop and said he was impressed by the new Waitrose store.

Checking out what’s on offer at Waitrose.

At Aldi in Burpham Clare Dally from Epsom Road said she had never shopped at Aldi before and had come with her husband and friend out of general interest. They had decided to come to Aldi rather than Waitrose because they were already familiar with the Waitrose offering but would be trying the new Waitrose too.

Her husband was in the wine trade and was keen to see the Aldi selection. Asked if she would become a regular shopper she said: “It depends, we will see what they have got to offer.”

Some of the local schoolchildren who were at the opening of the Aldi store.

But not everyone was positive about the opening of Aldi. Local resident Jim Allen who has been vociferous in his objection to Aldi was at the car park entrance photographing the traffic where at 8.40am queues had developed.

Aldi is currently appealing against a planning restriction which only allows it one HGV deleivery per day. A senior manager in charge of operations in the South East admitted that it was unlikely that the store could operate with that level of re-supply.

It is anticipated that the Burpham store will be one of Aldi’s most profitable, partly because there is no other Aldi store in the borough. The nearest are thought to be Blackwater and Walton-on-Thames.

Waitrose’s trucks were seen departing from kits store just prior to its opening. It too has had its critics over traffic flow through the town centre. It has a pay and display car park.

Reservations about new food stores in Guildford are not new. There were opponents of Sainsbury’s opening at Burpham and Tesco at Ashenden. However, they have both become well used as the town had grown and continues to do so.

Responses to Tills Ring Out as Two Food Stores Open On The Same Day In Guildford

Jim Allen Reply

November 5, 2015 at 12:14 pm

What can I say: It may be rosey on the inside… but

1. Reversing onto the road with a commercial vehicle, permitted by parking attendant as impossible to reverse into car par to turn around as required by Planning conditions.

2. Milk delivery is in HGV tri-axle box – so no food can be delivered – planning condition only one HGV per day.

3. No staff parking plan is available (according to Aldi manager) and it is still to be written – not sure what was signed off yesterday.

4. Their staff are parking in the car park – (According to Aldi manager) contrary to planning conditions.

5. They have no ability to secure the care park – (according to Aldi manager)- not sure what was signed off yesterday.

6. HGV has just reversed into Paddocks Road to turn around as he could get out the car park onto the roundabout. Because traffic was blocking his path – swept angle wrong.

7. HGV was going to reverse off the road into the loading bay – contrary to planning conditions.

8. Cars are parking on the roundabout waiting to get into Aldi so exciting New Inn Lane means going to the left of the parked car to turn right.

9. Car leaving and entering Burpham Lane (for reasons other than Aldi) are blocked and delayed by cars waiting to enter car park using the ‘wrong lane’ to get past queuing cars.

10. Cars from Guildford are failing to give way thus blocking completely traffic from Merrow.

11. New Inn Lane Park Lane was solid to the A25 09:15 45 minutes to traverse.

12. Cars driven across the pedestrian footpath line Ofof Burpham Lane failing to give way to pedestrians and school children.

All on video which will be uploaded onto You Tube under “Burpham Aldi Traffic Fiasco”

Sadly all that needs to follow is: “I told you so.”
Jim Allen Reply

November 5, 2015 at 1:44 pm

Not interested in brand name or house prices – simply, safety, safety.
Jeremy Varns Reply

November 5, 2015 at 1:57 pm

Cars driving across pavements? Along Walnut Tree Close there are more cars and heavy goods vehicles driving on the pavements than on the road. Council disinterested.

On a positive note, its good to have choice in Guildford and Aldi will prove especially popular with those in the wider area I’m sure.
Dave Davies Reply

November 5, 2015 at 2:19 pm

We tried and failed to get to Aldi this morning. One look at the traffic jam aimed at the car park (when we finally got near enough to see it) was enough. Clearly the opening day will see exceptional customer numbers but 77 (if I have this right) seems to be a woefully inadequate number of parking spaces for the store.
George Potter Reply

November 5, 2015 at 2:28 pm

I wish to state my absolute astonishment that there could possibly be any congestion around the access to the main road in the middle of the morning rush hour in Guildford. Quite clearly that kind of thing was utterly unheard of in Guildford until Aldi came along.
Karen Reply

November 5, 2015 at 3:44 pm

DNP name requested

Paul,
Given it was gridlocked from 8.15am up Burpham Lane and the car park was already full I don’t see how people can still think concerns about how Aldi is positioned and operating is about house prices and NIMBYism. It is already impacting traffic.
Jim’s comment about the HGVs driving down Burpham Lane and turning in Paddocks are very concerning.
Terry Stevenson Reply

November 5, 2015 at 3:48 pm

The traffic around the store was horrendous this morning – near gridlock. Whether this is as a result of ‘opening day euphoria’, or will become the norm, is yet to be seen.

However, I seem to recall similar ‘madness’ when Sainsbury’s opened its doors, but that died down after a while.

Still, if you can take a snapshot and portray it as the norm, all well and good.
A Tobin Reply

November 5, 2015 at 4:59 pm

By building the store, they are creating a higher demand for parking spaces, and in the meantime reducing the available public parking space by double-yellow lining Burpham Lane.

There are a number of consequences to this. Firstly, legitimate users of the Sutherland park can no longer park in Burpham Lane. Secondly, the more open “roadscape” will lead to more rat-running and higher speeds. Thirdly the result will be knock-on spillover parking into otherwise previously quiet areas.

At the same time Aldi, who previously accepted delivery vehicle restrictions, are now bleating that they can’t run the store with those restrictions. Well it’s a bit late for that isn’t it?

This is typical commercial chip, chip, chip away a bit at a time at planning restrictions until you end up with a completely different scenario to the one that was originally approved.
Anna-Marie Davis Reply

November 5, 2015 at 8:16 pm

I agree entirely with Mr Allen above. Unfortunately at the time of this planning application Burpham was notoriously ill represented in the council chamber. Many people have complained about the likely traffic problems and the ensuing chaos was obvious to any resident.

The fact that Aldi agreed to conditions which they have subsequently either ignored or, worse, claimed are unworkable unless lifted, must be addressed by the council if the electorate here are to retain any illusion that the council are interested in their community. It is worth noting that the entrance to the development is on a lane, not a road, which speaks volumes.
David Smith Reply

November 5, 2015 at 9:21 pm

Today feels like a big change for Guildford and a positive one. I went into Waitrose this evening (7pm) by foot and the place was heaving and yet there was ample space in the car park. I think it was obvious that the majority of people in the store had arrived by foot. What a fantastic addition to the town and completely worth the wait.

With regards to Aldi it is sad how the few try to ruin it – the store is I expect trying to cope with some ridiculous conditions the main one of these being the deliveries which I expect will be overturned at appeal.

What are Guildford Borough Planners playing at? Why on earth approve a store of this size only to limit its deliveries to something suitable for a shop a quarter of its size – surely it was obvious given the size of the store how many deliveries would be needed? If this is approved at appeal will the Planning Inspectorate not be asking the same? Why approve a supermarket if you do not approve all that goes with it?

I can see it now in the headlines: “First Aldi in the country closes as council restricts deliveries to one a day” and as for the local ward councillor.Cllr Holliday asking how Aldi could know before opening how many deliveries they would need? Er… they are all the same size stores and we have access to population data. How embarrassing.
- John Robson Reply
  
  November 6, 2015 at 10:43 am
  
  I have no idea whether they are comparable in size, but as a point or principle, does the new Waitrose store operate under the same delivery constraints as Aldi?
  
  Or is it just a special case so the residents of Burpham do not have to endure the name Aldi being flashed before their eyes more than once a day?
  
  And if you think the congestion’s bad now, just wait until Guildford Borough Council parachute another 5,000 executive homes onto the periphery of the town’s urban area.
- Karen Fryatt Reply
  
  November 6, 2015 at 12:59 pm
  
  I agree that looks odd however the limitation on the opening hours and the number of deliveries per day were both proposed by Aldi which the council accepted and not, as many assume, imposed upon Aldi by Guildford Borough Council.
- Neil Langridge Reply
  
  November 6, 2015 at 8:11 pm
  
  Interesting on how one so easily defines “the few”, but that lack of attention to detail is something that has similarly plagued GBC.
  
  If you look at the GBC website regarding feedback on the applications plus the independent surveys run, it is clearly not the few who were against a supermarket on that site.
  
  Aldi do indeed know how many deliveries they need, so agreeing to a small number to get the site built and then putting in applications to change that afterwards is misleading and shows very poor corporate ‘responsibility’.
  
  GBC bear huge responsibility, but Aldi and their expert consultants agreed to it. So Aldi must accept equal culpability.
- Jim Allen Reply
  
  November 7, 2015 at 8:42 am
  
  I suggest Mr Smith reads the planning paperwork – ALDI actual amended their paperwork claiming they only want one HGV delivery a day and when challenged sent in an addendum confirming this fact so in this case don’t blame GBC blame ALDI for it is they who asked for one not GBC who conditioned them to one.
  
  This is why the community is angry.
  - Martin Giles Reply
    
    November 7, 2015 at 8:54 pm
    
    A spokesperson for Guildford Borough Council responded: “…this statement is partly true in that in Aldi’s second application their transport statement made reference to two HGV deliveries per day. However, when this was challenged by council officers, Aldi responded with an addendum to the transport statement, stating that the ‘delivery arrangements for the proposed Aldi store remain at one HGV delivery per day, as previously proposed…We note a condition was previously proposed to this effect and Aldi would accept this approach again, if this is deemed appropriate’.
    
    “So, in summary, the one HGV delivery per day has always been suggested/offered by Aldi and the council secured this by condition.”
- Louise Blanford Reply
  
  November 7, 2015 at 3:13 pm
  
  Guildford Borough Council did not impose the delivery condition, Aldi suggested it on their own planning application and were specifically questioned about it and provided a written addendum stating that they would only be using one HGV.
  
  Planning decisions were based on this information as they have to be by law. The condition simply reinforces Aldi’s own statement.
Martin Elliott Reply

November 5, 2015 at 9:22 pm

Why not wait a few days and see how it is during normal trading next week.

What about a similar unbiased description of normal delays and behavior a couple of weeks ago when schools were open.

If there is a problem, it might be solved by letting Aldi have the same opening hours as Sainsbury’s, or at least explain the objection.

Didn’t the residents campaign for the restrictions in Burpham lane and then complain when the bus route had to be diverted? If so it demonstrates a poor understanding of ‘Traffic Problems’.
Anna-Marie Davis Reply

November 6, 2015 at 8:29 am

The bus route was diverted years ago as the lane was deemed too narrow for buses. The council then decided it was suitable for HGVs. My point all along.
Graham Hibbert Reply

November 6, 2015 at 9:38 am

I agree with Mr David Smith about the lack of competence in our council, however not for the reasons he gives.

The lack of competence was demonstrated by the poor way it implemented current planning law (the NPPF) which allowed the Aldi store to be located in Burpham, on a site which was never suitable for a store of this size. However, it is not for the council to second guess what an applicant may want to do but to consider the application before it which included Aldi’s planned resupply arrangements.

I believe that, like so many developers, Aldi had no intention of sticking to its original promises, including its resupply promises, and would seek to amend these as soon as the original application was out of the way, just as it did with signage.

This is what is happening and will continue to happen.

Graham Hibbert is the former chairman of the Guildford Residents’ Association
- Teresa Forbes Reply
  
  November 6, 2015 at 6:36 pm
  
  Since when has the NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework) been law? And was this a decision made by planners or was it councillors or even the Planning Inspectorate?
  - Graham Hibbert Reply
    
    November 7, 2015 at 11:56 am
    
    As I recall, the problem was caused by the planners who decided, without reference to the councillors, how to implement the NPPF [National Planning Policy Framework]. They decided that Burpham was a “town centre” as defined by the NPPF and so was the right place to put a supermarket as opposed to being an “out of town location” suitable for just small shops.
    
    The councillors were clearly not supervising the work of the planning officers and indeed knew nothing about it. That is why the Burpham councillors argued so ineffectively against this application and why it could be only be rejected on grounds of style and insufficient car parking – grounds that Aldi could easily reverse at appeal.
    
    It is arguable that councillors do not have the time, or necessarily the skills, to adequately scrutinise the work of the officers. It is to overcome this problem and provide adequate operational scrutiny that major public and private sector institutions (hospitals etc) are run in accordance with a way of working called the “Combined Code”.
    
    It mystifies me as to why Local Government is exempt from the application of this code and I believe it needs to change such that residents can be assured that the officers work to professional standards and that put residents interests at the heart of what they do.
Louise Blanford Reply

November 6, 2015 at 12:09 pm

I agree with the above comment Aldi are already not sticking to their conditions.

The first two days have seen deliveries before 9.30am and the store customer services manager informs me that their opening hours are 8-10pm Monday to Saturday. Perhaps he would like to inform their store manager who would not tell me their opening times it is secretly held by Aldi’s property department. His staff know though, and they told me they are opening until 10pm.

The restrictions were for the benefit of quality of life for the elderly residents living next door, it was not a case of Aldi snobbery. GBC’s planning department cannot do anything for two weeks, apparently.

Meanwhile traffic queues are blocking the cycle lane, crossing sightlines and cars are jumping the queue and driving down the wrong side of the road on the lane and on London Road last night. It is an accident waiting to happen.

I write this is as a Burpham resident who had to emergency stop on London Road to avoid hitting an irate van driver at 4pm who was queue jumping. Just the chaos predicted – but obviously the planners at the council and Surrey highways knew better.
Pauline Surrey Reply

November 6, 2015 at 4:46 pm

I find it quite bizarre that Aldi have the cheek to emblazon their store wall in Burpham with a stylised Green Man.

If I remember rightly, the reason one finds Green Men in or on buildings is to ward off evil spirits. Enough said.
Ben Paton Reply

November 7, 2015 at 10:36 pm

I think Aldi is a great store format and it offers choice. But how can letting it stay open until 10pm every day be consistent with having it in a residential area?

Is what’s happening in Burpham is a case study of the competence of GBC – its councillors and its planning department? Is this what is in store for all of us when the council bases its housing projections on secret models and forces through its local plan to increase the housing stock by up to 25% without taking proper account of the transport and school infrastructure or the historic and natural environment?
Peter Knight Reply

November 8, 2015 at 8:03 am

Seems to me people are just against Aldi and want to punish them or see them fail. If GBC did not impose the condition of one HGV delivery per day then they should have had no trouble granting, retrospectively, an increase. Since they haven’t I think it was Aldi’s only option to do what they did.

In terms of the “few”, does anyone know the population of Burpham? 50 odd objections probably works out at less than one per cent of the total.

Finally, those who talked about the bus route – surely this would of been the whole of Burpham lane and not a couple of metres – the whole of that lane especially the corner after Marilyn’s drive is too narrow. An HGV pulling in the road and taking an immediate left cannot possibly be the same.

Will people come up with good arguments instead if clutching at whatever they can? It’s like the link road.
- Anna-Marie Davis Reply
  
  November 8, 2015 at 6:45 pm
  
  Peter Knight is incorrect. The turning is too tight for the HGVs to turn immediately left, they have been reversing into the next lane along, a residential road, with parking allowed opposite, as narrow as any further down.
  
  This is nothing to do with snobbishness, it is to do with having two hours added to your commute every day and beeping outside your house as three times the number of deliveries arrive as permission was granted for, that back up in your road due to a woeful lack of planning governance.
Gordon Bridger Reply

November 8, 2015 at 10:04 am

What we are seeing here, as with so many other recent planning decisions in Guildford, is simply bad planning.

With changes which have taken place at senior level we can hope for better planning in future – but it is vital that senior councillors ensure that the long term needs of the community are the first consideration in planning decisions.
Mike Melbourne Reply

November 8, 2015 at 10:28 am

I would have thought former councillor and mayor of Guilford, Bill Bellerby should have been invited along for the grand opening of the Waitrose store on the old site of the Bellerby Theatre and former Guildford Youth Centre. Bill had a lot involvement and took interest in both buildings for a number of years.
Adrian Atkinson Reply

November 8, 2015 at 1:45 pm

Looks like the Aldi has caused some serious traffic issues today. Traffic was queuing back to the Weylea Avenue roundabout because the car park was full.
Valerie Thompson Reply

November 8, 2015 at 3:19 pm

Today, Sunday, at 12.30pm, the whole area was gridlocked in all directions, making normal traffic flow through Burpham to the A3, or from the A3 towards Guildford town centre, all but impossible. The main problem seems to be the placing of the store’s car-park entrance. Too late now!

I will now avoid the area if I can and go to Cobham Sainsbury’s instead.
Angela Wackett Reply

November 9, 2015 at 12:25 am

10am Sunday, queues everywhere in Burpham.

Anyone interested in the competence of GBC planning department need look no further. Hopeless. So sorry for the residents and anyone who needs to get to school or work in that area.
- Anna-Marie Davis Reply
  
  November 9, 2015 at 9:59 am
  
  This has had a negative effect on people’s lives, it isn’t snobbishness.
  
  It’s about finding that you now live an hour away from family you used to live ten minutes away from, an hour away from a station you used to live twenty minutes from.
George Potter Reply

November 9, 2015 at 8:58 am

I went to Aldi on the bus on Saturday lunchtime. In fairness, it was very busy at the roundabout but the traffic was still flowing, the bus got through easily enough and when I came out of Aldi with my shopping there were hardly any cars around despite it being not much later than 1pm.

Obviously I can’t comment on what it’s been like on other times but it certainly didn’t seem that bad when I went there.
John Robson Reply

November 9, 2015 at 9:11 am

This is the planning game though isn’t it?

The savvy, streetwise, developer and his professional consultant submit a controversial application, including the pre-requisite glossy brochure, loaded with planning friendly clichés and soundbites just to get through the process. Once it’s a built two weeks of local hand wringing and placard waving, Then – “Aaaah well it’s done now,” and the amendment goes in. It’s not like we haven’t seen this before is it?

The thing is, Guildford Borough Council’s (GBC) planning department have seen it, many times. They could give you a masterclass on it. But you try and get a residential application even approved, never mind changed.

When it comes to commercial applications GBC appear to be blindsided, or maybe they are just intimidated by big business and its plethora of consultants and legal eagles. This doesn’t bode well for the proposed building programme within the local plan does it? “Affordable homes” but only if “economically viable”, there’s not a hope, especially when the get out of jail card has been included by the authority that is supposed to be regulating the whole process is there?

As for Aldi, just appears to extreme naivety if you really think they’ll be held to one delivery day and in all honesty why should they be? If you’re going to sanction the location of a retail outlet, you must accept all that comes with it and again, how many Waitrose HGVs are thundering through the town centre now?

These were almost parallel construction programmes and irrespective of who proposed what, why do we appear to have double standards within the planning department?

On the periphery of the town centre, just off the A3; 1 x 40 tonne HGV per day, in the already congested, gridlocked town centre, who knows how many?

If I was the Aldi planning consultant, that would be my argument.
Wayne Smith Reply

November 9, 2015 at 1:02 pm

2pm Sunday and there were still queues to get into the Aldi car park.

I wanted to shop at Cook Burpham and had to wait to get a parking spot in Kingpost Parade. Not full because of people shopping at Cook, Cycleworks or the News Agent but at Aldi (as evidenced by shopping trolleys being pushed across the road).

How are small shops supposed to do business if their customers can’t park? GBC recently posted some notices on the lamp posts stating that they are “considering” parking restrictions in the parade. These could have been put in place long ago had GBC had any sort of strategy.

Sadly, strategy, long term planning and vision are not their forte and things appear to be dealt with piecemeal and in isolation.
Adam Heilbron Reply

November 9, 2015 at 2:08 pm

Aldi has been a disaster for Burpham. The traffic queueing for the store has often backed up to the Anchor and Horseshoes and beyond towards Guildford. People are now parking within the Weylea Farm and Burpham Lane area, sometimes on the new double yellow lines.

When Guildford Borough Council’s new plans to double yellow most of Burpham Lane are in place, this will only exacerbate the problem.

Aldi are not following the planning conditions that they, themselves, put forward in order to appease residents. It is a disgrace.

They are opening until 10pm (supposed to be 9pm). They are delivering from more than one HGV delivery a day, there were at least three yesterday (Sunday) alone. And the HGV deliveries are out of the time slot allowed which is causing chaos within an already congested area.

Aldi need to respect their planning conditions and if they do not, Guildford Borough Council should penalise them accordingly.
Bernard Parke Reply

November 9, 2015 at 3:18 pm

I have just left the area after a visit to Sainsbury’s only to witness cars trailing back to the roundabout no do doubt trying to park at the Aldi store.
David Clarke Reply

November 9, 2015 at 6:52 pm

I have never witnessed such a sad, pathetic, self interested, self centred, snobbish, twisted, pompous load of tosh in my life.

It is just a small shop!

It seems to me some people see it as the end of the world.

If any of you had lived anywhere else in the UK, or indeed the world, this is a total insignificance.

Bring on the moaning and groaning of the toil this has brought into your small-minded peoples lives.