DIDCOT'S NEW SHOPPING CENTRE

August 30th 2008

The new 'Orchard' shopping center in Didcot is now very much completed, although there are still a few empty shops. However, with over 40 new shops it has already made
it's mark on the town. With the opening of the 5-screen cinema complex and now the Cornerstone theater and Center of the Arts just opened they mark the crowning glory
of the project. The majority of citizen no longer have to go by train or bus into Oxford or Reading for much of their goods. It appears to be let down only by the lack of
clothing shops for the older man or woman.

Modern design and built isn't everyone's cup of tea and there is certainly a cheapness about the design and build but the layout of the shopping complex is well designed
and being pedestrianized makes for very relaxed shopping and/or simply wandering around.

First a brief look at how the area around Station Road looked just before the clearance of the old industrial estate and the football ground took place.

1982. From the curve at the bottom Station Road. A clear view to the railway embankment, where
the new by-pass now runs,with the empty grounds of the railway hostel just in front and the
football ground on the right. A new housing estate blanks this view today, with just a  short gap
where you can view the railway embankment.

A slightly more south view, showing the the football ground. The Conker tree still stands.

A 1982 winter scene. The railway terraced houses looking down Station Road from the opening to the industrial
estate. On the left is the gap created by the demolition of a group of five terraced housing to build the car park
and supermarket.

From the opposite side of the road. The entrance to the industrial estate, which was still operating at the time.
You can see the board naming the various companies. The old railway hostel is still standing between Station
Road and the railway. It was used as homes at this time and was demolished to make way for the new by-pass
that would divert traffic away from Station Road and the new shopping center.

Tappin's Garage. They moved to Milton Trading estate, near the power station. Recently the business was
taken over by Hayfordian but retain the Tappin name

At the top of station road (on the left) with a view eastwards down the Broadway

A westward view of the broadway, with the main shops on the right. The Tappin bus is probably
awaiting a school run.

                                                                           The trading estate was one of those places that was taken for granted and not very picturesque and simply existed. However
                                                                           it had already started to become rundown with empty premises decaying. However quite a large fire broke out, which brought
                                                                           some attention in the 90's. I managed to capture a few pictures of the activity. However, they are not very good as it was a
                                                                           very bleak day but they may be of some interest.

This picture not only captures the moment when the fire really started to take hold but also shows the
football pitch and Didcot Football Team's Club buildings. This is where the car park and Sainsbury
Supermarket now stand. A new football ground was built on the north side of the railway.

Almost too bleak to take exposures with the rather cheap camera used but this
shows how extensive the fire had become . The highlights really only show up
because the flash operated automatically

The police officer moved everyone back as it became clear the fire was really getting bad

A crowd had gathered to watch the firemen's efforts at tackling the blaze

A cropped section from the photo above. Perhaps some will recognize themselves

2004. From around the same spot in 2004. The fencing on the right indicates that the work as began
to clear the football ground and industrial estate.

The northern side of the trading estate and the remains of the buildings that caught fire are well
and truly removed. This is now the sight of the garage and large car park

A more northerly view showing the railway in the background with a cross-country service running
towards Oxford. Just  in front of that you can see that the new bypass has already been built.
The buildings on the right are in the Riche's Sidings estate, which was linked to the railway

The foundation at the front was the white building you see in photo two

The road into the trading estate, where Sainsbury's now stands

The scene from lower down the Broadway looking across to Station Road, with the power station in the
background. This spot is now the roadway into the Orchard Center and a through road onto the by-pass.
The road was named Hitchcock Way after the late councilor and train guard, Leslie (Les) Hitchcock

AUGUST 2008

                                                              Didcot has always been a bit of a backwater, small market town. However, until the 70's it had the main shops of any high Street
                                                              but they mostly disappeared with the main shopping street, the Broadway being filled with secondhand and charity shops. For anything

                                                             After more than 30 years without a cinema we now have a new multi-screen cinema just over a year old. This was in the plan with our
                                                             new town centre.

The entrance to the new Orchard Shopping Center at the top of Station Road

The new cinema and pedestrianized shopping center is in strong contrast to the 1900 design of the railway houses
down Station Road.

The stops preventing traffic going onto the Broadway at the top of Station Road.The Broadway is the original main street and shopping centre,
running east to west through Didcot. The old Town House stood in the background where the trees are. The council buildings are now out
at Crowmarsh near Wallingford. This change came about when Didcot came under Oxfordshire. Prior to this it was in Berkshire

You may not be impressed with the rather cheap-looking design and build of the new  shopping center but it is bright
and clean and with over 40 welcome new shops there is more choice and you don't have to compete with noisy and
smelly traffic

From the corner of Orchard Center a continental look has come over Didcot, with people sitting outside Boswell's
Cafe, with the modern design of the cinema in the background

Plenty of choices in the Orchard Center. Sadly, there are no clothing shops for the older man or woman,
as yet!

The area opens up at the bottom of the Orchard Center. The steps forming a hollow is a nice addition making for
a focal point where people can just sit to rest or ponder while shopping and it is also a natural stage for outdoor
events to take place. Quite a transformation from the old commercial trading center.

It's nice to have a Woolworth's again. However, these modern shops just don't have the character of of the
old 'Woolworths'.

Looking onto Hitchcock Way

Sainsbury's Supermarket, where once was the north side of the trading estate and the football pitch

The curved, deep stair way creates a natural amphitheater for local gatherings

Parked cars and street dancing replaces football

This scene displays the spaciousness of the design along with the good mixture of shops. There is also a monthly
Continental Market that adds interest and colour.

A dance demonstration. Just a pity that they used record music instead of the exitement of a live band or combo

Whatever the dislikes of these modern buildings and designs it is really nice to see the center of Didcot become alive
and looking spick & span. But I shall include with my own pet grumble "Where are those clothes shops for older
men and women"!

A Little about present day Didcot

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