Forum Topic

the Oaks

Hello,maybe anybody knows when this shopping center is planning to open?

Dominyka Vinickaite ● 2389d49 Comments

Yes agree re benches, greenery etc but probably makes sense to wait until Lidl have moved in......

Clare Gittins ● 2354d

It is good news for Actonians that The Oaks is now open, we waited long enough to have an alternative to Morrisons. I welcome Iceland,  Wilko and Superdrug, hopefully we won't  have to wait too long before they are joined by Lidl and others.The one downside right now is the absence of some seating and a few plants would be a welcome addition, right now it is dreary and very dull.Hopefully this will change in the near future, after all I am sure those responsible would want The Oaks to attract more visitors to ensure the new stores stay open.

Jean F Fernandez ● 2354d

I went was glad to see Iceland back, but the design is woeful. Also not sure, but could not see any toilets and there's no seating inside. Hardly inviting.

Ana Strachan ● 2367d

Leon. Something healthy for a change.

Clare Gittins ● 2368d

Be good to see a Nando’s- hopefully would stop more chicken shops on the high street opening. There are quite a few empty units, what realistically would everyone like to see there?

Lee Harding ● 2368d

Iceland and Wilko -very good and very busy The Oaks should do fine in the long run as  word gets round and we get a few more High St names in there I dont care much for M&S or Waitrose -Their loss imo - but I am happy that we have finally got what we have  waited for ie stores that caters for the needs of us Actonians !

Kirit Bork ● 2368d

"Those of us who campaigned against the development said they [ M & S ] would never open........... "Oh really???  Is this some sort of "miss-memory" at work?I seem to recall that everyone on here  was full of it. That M & S were going to open that is.  ;-)I was among only one or two who strongly warned that the M & S thing was a con, but oh no, you ALL fell for it.At least have the grace to admit it.

Rosco White ● 2369d

Hopefully the reopening of that car park will ease the pressure on the one behind the gym.

Susan Kelly ● 2369d

I assumed the interior isn't completely finished. If it is, it's a terrible job. Maybe we could ask Acton Unframed to do some art on the walls? ;-)That said, I welcome Lidl, Wilko, Iceland and Superdrug which are all really handy shops. I also welcome back the car park as with an elderly father to drop down to the shops it's been difficult with only Morrisons car park. This new car park will give much better access to the high street.M&S are on a cost cutting exercise and closing loads of stores which is why they pulled out. They can't justify redundancies if they're opening new outlets. It's a shame, but not the end of the world. Terrible design aside, I think it's a very positive addition to the area.

Tania Bapuji ● 2370d

'It’s the worst time ever to be opening a new shopping centre'Actually, that was probably when Westfield opened in the Bush in the middle of the Great Banking Crisis. :)

Susan Kelly ● 2370d

I thought, way back, our beloved Lidl had applied for a liquor license or something for a unit in The Oaks after Waitrose pulled out? Has that been withdrawn too?ALDI would be better.No surprise about M&S not coming as they are in full retreat elsewhere. It’s the worst time ever to be opening a new shopping centre where the developers have done the bare minimum of planning ahead.

Roy ● 2370d

As I understand it, the money the council made out of this development went towards providing the new swimming pool, leisure centre and library across the road.

Peter Evans ● 2370d

Iceland was doing a fair bit of business yesterday morning. Let's not forget that it can provide cheap food for those locals on a tight budget.

Susan Kelly ● 2371d

There was loads of opposition up to and including a Judicial Review of the planning decision.It was always going to be ghastly with zero charm and no decent shops. Waitrose and M&S were just wool to be pulled over the eyes of the gullible. Those of us who campaigned against the development said they would never open and that it was going to be a carbuncle. Being right, in these circumstances, is no funThe developers and the council made money out of it presumably. That's what it was about.And this is what you get if the wishes and opinions of those who live in the area are ignored.

Sara Nathan ● 2371d

Ultimately, The Oaks, as it has resulted, is yet another appalling manifestation of the grand "vision" of Comrade Bell and his ruling Politburo at The Ealing Kremlin.I hope the idiots who voted for him are proud of themselves, they are complicit in his ongoing mission of trashing Acton.

Rosco White ● 2371d

It is truly hideous, badly thought out and designed and feels like a north Korean airport. I reckon M and S took one look and thought ‘na, this would be like putting caviar in a pot noddle’ And pulled the plug. Everyone excited by a new Iceland but the novelty will wear off walking through belmarsh prison every week to get to it. Let’s hope it wins carbuncle of the year and puts Acton on the map ;)

Lee Harding ● 2371d

Agree HelenJust a total shambles, flats and shops

Jon morris ● 2371d

The single worst thing about the exterior on the Churchfield Road side, is the orange squiggles on the glass and balconies. I would be interested in how estate agents would sell the flat once they get to the windows and balconies - "why the orange squiggles?!?" To sit on your balcony after a day, and look out at 'the view' - through orange squiggles.  If it looks that bad now, how dated will it look in 10 years time?!  And who will want to live there with orange paintwork on all their windows in the long-term?!And the inside of The Oaks - surely we deserved better than that?  Looking at it today as going into Wilko - columns still unfinished, ceilings still unfinished, shops set out like a doctor's waiting room - zero atmosphere.  And the walk from Churchfield Road along the side of the cemetery to get into Oaks - should have got a travelator!!!  And no M&S.  They really could have done so much better with what they had.  Really better.  This was a perfect opportunity, and they squandered it. And opening Iceland yesterday, Wilko today, another shop another day/week/month...why not just open all the centre on one day, and have a grand opening - or are not the rest of the shops taken?  It all looks a bit sad walking through a cold shopping centre with just two shops open, and no idea what is happening with the other retail units.  Whoever gave the go-ahead for orange paint needs to live there for a month, and see how they enjoy it.

Helen New ● 2371d

Try living right next to and being overlooked by those horrid flats.  All in all they've ruined Acton.

Sarah Vickers ● 2371d

Very very grey. Would a bit of colour kill them? It's in danger of being used to film a post-Apocalyptic drama.

Susan Kelly ● 2371d

A Post Office perhaps?All the hype about the new Shopping Centre and we have less Stores than was in the previous one. Peacocks, Sports Direct, Good Luggage Shop etc.Joke really.

Tony Crumpton ● 2371d

Terrible inside Cold empty felling no planning at al l in side It ain’t no Westfield Wilko good Iceland goodBut for heaven sake who ever designed  the inside the need to go back  to school

Jon morris ● 2371d

I don’t think it is right to say that it met with little opposition.It went to appeal with residents putting up their money to pay for the legal efforts.

Paul Webster ● 2371d

should be laws against this - first waitrose then M and S to appease the locals and get planning agreed for flats. Then once they are finished (the building is very badly designed, constructed and looks like a complete mostrosety btw) the proposed supermarkets that everyone wanted 'pull out'and we are left with an eye sore because the 'waitrose effect' on the area meant it was met with little opposition.

Lee Harding ● 2371d

Went into Wilko this morning, and spoke to one of the guys working in there, who informed me M&S have pulled out - they're not moving in. They have paid for the unit, but will now not be opening.  What a farce. Waitrose and M&S.  We've been treated shoddily as a community.According to the guy in Wilko, no clothing stores either, as retail units are small, so no idea what's filling the larger space left by M&S as too small for a Primark or TK Maxx - maybe a H&M?!? So, a shopping centre finally (re)opens in Acton but just food and household  - no clothing, etc.

Helen New ● 2371d

Went in today.  Have to say, nothing outside (bar a small banner in strong wind) to say Iceland opening today.  Went in from the Churchfield Road side (as before, takes you to the high street), and not as straight forward - you need to go the almost the end of the side entrance (near the cemetary) else you go through doors marked 'Oaks' that take you to the car park! Inside, it looks very sparse - needs some plants (plenty of space!) and seating to make it look more inviting.  You could see people working in Wilko, and hear them working in Superdrug.  Iceland itself was very clean (and grey), with a roomy layout.Hopefully, once other shops open (did someone say Poundland??!), and there's more inside furniture, and some clothes shops (proper - not dodgy!), and more importantly, people (!), should be a nice place to shop.  Just wondering - anyone see any toilets?

Helen New ● 2372d

So obvious the developers are using M and S name to sell flats- probably paying them to neither confirm or deny it aswell.

Lee Harding ● 2372d

Poundland opening in mid-October

Urs Esser ● 2372d

The company that is trying to sell the flats should stop using m and s as a selling tool .

Jon morris ● 2372d

Anyone know how to start an on-line petition? M&S say no harm in sending them one .......

Clare Gittins ● 2372d

Coffee shops Post officeMarks

Jon morris ● 2372d

Me! Iceland haven't started doing home delivery yet. Cashier said probably not until next week.  The inside of the Oaks is a lot bigger than before.  Wilko opens tomorrow. Lidl next door to it. It's very bare inside. No benches or any seating. Plenty of room  for M&S......

Apple Leiper ● 2372d

Iceland was due to open this morning. Anyone been?

Susan Kelly ● 2373d

Saw Wilko staff in uniform yesterday been shown around outside on Churchfield Rd. side

a MCDONALD ● 2377d

I received an alert this morning from wilko, saying they're opening on 7th August at 9am.

Donna Fraser ● 2379d

Loads rental space been offered Was in Hammersmith king st mall what a dumpWith Westfield down the road doesn't look good for the oaks  shame mind u never know a new shopping centre was opening

Jon morris ● 2379d

Makes you understand a bit more why M&S are in trouble if the CEO doesn't know what's going on, or bother to find out what's going on, in his own business.

Tania Bapuji ● 2379d

Apologies for errors in previous post- on mobile!

Helen New ● 2380d

I was speaking to a friend yesterday, who spoke to someone working there, who informed her Wilko and Iceland open next week, but that M&S and Starbucks (?) have pulled out.8ve just seen an Iceland lorry on Churchfield Road near the Oaks, but really confused as to the cloak and dagger behaviour to which shops are actually opening - hardly state secret! I just hope we get some proper clothing shops, to save us having to go elsewhere just for basics. I still would love *for basic practicality!): TK Maxx, Primark, and H&M - if anyone's listening!

Helen New ● 2380d

GOOD question Ms Nathan!

Rosco White ● 2381d

So whats with the M&S CEO assuring our MP that a Simply Food was opening in The Oaks?

Sara Nathan ● 2382d

Or, more likely, what M & S would have said was:-"Fortunately, we're not opening a store in Acton at the moment!".  :-))))))

Rosco White ● 2386d

My neighbor daughter applied for a jobs at marks Acton Unfortunately we not opening a  M S store  at the moment in Acton

Jon morris ● 2386d

I love Wilko!

Chris Hurley ● 2387d

And Wilko are cheep too.    :-)Much more Acton's demographic, along with Iceland, Sports Direct, "Poundlands" etc.  And before the attack begins, I'm just stating the bleedin' obvious.  I shop at the aforementioned myself.

Rosco White ● 2387d

WILKO, the home and garden retailer, is opening a new store at The Oaks shopping centre in Acton with the creation of 45 jobs.Craig McGregor, Head of Retail, said: “The Oaks is in a fantastic location with great transport links to central London and we’re sure it will become the go-to place for people looking to stock up on products for their homes and gardens.”Wilko was founded in 1930 as Wilkinson Stores by J K Wilkinson.

Tony Crumpton ● 2387d

Apparently, sometime in August.  You can see Iceland from the High Street side.

Helen New ● 2389d

From Marks Spencer ???

Jon morris ● 2389d

I'm going to camp outside in order  to get in early, got my eye on a leg of lamb and some potato croquettes.Anyone else care to join me?

Jeremy Beckett ● 2389d