Calling all beer drinkers.... and other concerned citizens

14/02/2013

Joni Mitchell famously sang about them paving paradise and putting up a parking lot. While we wouldn't even begin to describe The Marlborough Arms in Romford as paradise, it does offer respite to the locals, including the Pitpass team, in an increasingly crazy world.

We say it offers respite, but not for much longer, for on March 11 it will close its doors forever, and a few months later will re-open as a Tesco Express mini-market.

Now that wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't for the fact that other than a massive Aldi right opposite The Marlborough, there are eight branches of Tesco within a mile indeed, there is one in the same road just a few hundred yards away.

Other than the fact that the Pitpass team will no longer have a local in which to enjoy a well-earned pint or two after a hard day at the office, often being quizzed by the regulars regarding the previous weekend's race, there is the noise, pollution and disruption local residents will have to endure seven days a week in the form of delivery lorries and customers.

Neither Tesco, currently in the headlines courtesy of the horsemeat scandal, nor the local council, has even had the decency to inform locals - including those living bang next door - of the plans, such is the contempt with which the public is held these days.

You might dismiss this as the ranting of a few disgruntled NIMBYs however, soon it could be your local pub, your newsagent, your corner shop... your community, torn apart as the corporate giant that is Tesco continues its ruthless march towards total domination.

In the UK, every soap opera has a pub at the core of the community, however, in the real world we are losing them at the rate of 25 a week. A visit to the truly excellent Derelict London website paints a far better picture however.

A Facebook page has been set up by locals trying to halt the takeover of their community by this supermarket giant and we would very much appreciate it if you would 'Like' it and also forward the link to friends... if not, in the not too distant future it will be your little bit of paradise that is paved over. Here.