Shopping

BT Street Hubs : a solution without a problem?

Not everyone likes street advertising, and Adfree Cities is a network of groups across the UK who are concerned about the impacts of corporate advertising on our health, wellbeing, environment, climate, communities and the local economy raises awareness about the impacts of commercial advertising. They object to BT planning applications for hubs, described by Adblock Bristol as 3 metre high pavement-blocking units with a digital advertising display on each side showing up to six ads a minute. Opposition has had some success in Bristol, with over 50 applications being blocked.

When Bristol Council firmly refused 27 of BT’s street hubs last year, after 750 objections from local people, the Council said “The illuminated advertisement screens, by virtue of their excessive scale, prominent siting, form, nature and extent of illumination, would appear as an alien, prominent and intrusive element within the street scene.”

Anna Wright, who also lives nearby said: “I’ve first-hand witnessed people calling a number and making incoherent calls – people under the influence, either alcohol or drugs, just yelling at the phone box. Our argument is that it was a nice idea in principle, but the reality is that it’s being misused.”

“It’s not an attractive thing to look at when it’s right outside the door, “ she added. “For the size of the structure versus the size of the ads, I do find it quite surprising. But the main thing is that it’s really less attractive when it’s by BT, with a brand on its side, and there’s someone smashing it up, setting up camp, or yelling into the phone. The whole package together makes it an eyesore.”

The BT response

A BT spokesperson said that it was “disheartening to hear some people are misusing these units and we urge anyone who witnesses criminal activity to report it to the police. While crime and anti-social behaviour are police matters, we are committed to working closely with the authorities and local communities to help where we can.”

A council spokesperson said: “We are firmly committed to making sure that any new infrastructure in the borough, including BT street hub screens, does not negatively impact our residents and communities. We are continuously reviewing these sites to ensure that they are benefiting the council and the communities and residents we serve.

Parcel lockers satisfy a known need, and it sounds as if they may be more acceptable to residents than street hubs funded by huge electronic advertising board

Parcel lockers make deliveries easy

June 2025  Many readers will remember the days when you’d need to stay at home for the day when expecting a delivery of some goods you had ordered. How things have improved. Now customers are generally kept informed by text or email of the progress of their delivery, and an estimated delivery time. Using new routing software delivery times can be extraordinarily accurate.

And for those who can’t be at home, or don’t want to be, there are other options like the click and collect lockers that have popped up at both Co-op stores and Wilson’s store on Ratby Road. Apparently lack of convenience was previously a major cause of abandoning a purchase, with 83% of customers saying that convenience is more important to them when online shopping than it was a few years ago. But it’s not just collection lockers near home that are handy, as purchases can be picked up near work or recreational amenities.

You must be joking

One of the biggest operators, Inpost, must surely have had their tongue firmly in cheek when describing the collection process :

“When you’re picking up your parcels or use the remote opening feature (in our app), it’s super fun. When that door unlocks and magically opens to reveal your latest purchase it really is a glorious feeling. Plus, we love those moments between scanning your return code and the door pops open – have you tried guessing which door it will be?”

A popular option

Research last year by by Retail Economics and InPost found that of those that have used delivery lockers, over half ranked them as either their first or second choice in delivery options, and almost three quarters (71.7%) in their top three. As almost half (48.5%) of over 65-year-olds who participated in the research said being offered a broad range of delivery options is “unimportant”, the increase in popularity is perhaps being driven by younger consumers.

Boosting the High Street

Encouraged by the Government as far back as 2015, the trend to storage lockers doesn’t seem to have accelerated until the last few years, probably stimulated by the impact of the pandemic. A decision was made to allow shops and other retailers to install ‘click and collect’ lockers without getting planning permission.

“Far from threatening the high street, online shopping offers a new opportunity. How we shop is changing radically and I want to help our high streets thrive from online competition,” said Housing and Planning Minister Brandon Lewis in March 2015. “Today’s measures will mean even more retailers can offer ‘click and collect’ services, encouraging shoppers to visit their businesses and pick up their purchases at a time that suits them. It’s just one of a range of measures we’re taking to boost the Great British high street, encourage shoppers to the town centre and get shops to grow and thrive.”

With shoppers getting a glorious feeling when the locker door magically opens to reveal their latest purchase, and the Great British High Street getting a boost, what is there not to like? On the one hand some might say they don’t like how the street scene might be changed, whilst others might disagree and argue that in any event it’s a fair price to pay for the amenity and convenience the lockers bring. What’s your view?

New 45 minute parking limit at the Leicester Road Co-op

January 2025  The Co-op Village Store on Leicester Road in Groby has introduced a 45 minute parking limit for customers. Monitoring and enforcement of the new limit is being undertaken by Euro Car Parks using Automatic Number Plate recognition (ANPR) and/or hand held cameras to confirm entry and exit times. Many retailers who provide off street parking for customers impose time limits and 45 minutes should probably be more than enough time to spend in a small convenience store without other services such as a cafe.

Across the country most shoppers have an excellent and problem free parking experience, and may be oblivious to the fact that their use of the car park signifies the acceptance of the terms and conditions set by the monitoring company. Some hopeful users may overstay the time limit thinking that they won’t get a request for payment (a Parking Charge Notice or PCN) and for others there may be extenuating circumstances.

Anyone checking the online reviews for parking companies will find typical scores of 1 out of 5, and lots of these may refer not to free parking but such things as pay and display or mobile app payment issues. That score is no surprise, as not many people who have the perfect parking experience would even consider rushing home to post a positive review.

But the minority may feel they have been badly treated as they have to pay an extra £60 or £100 for their visit to the supermarket. They may not just be angry because they overstayed as a result of circumstances outside their control - their vehicle may never have been on the car park at all.

Occasionally there are high profile cases such as Rosey Hudson, featured by the BBC on East Midlands Today. She had problems paying by phone to a different company over a number of days and claimed the cash ticket machine, which was subsequently replaced, was broken. Although she paid the parking fee it wasn’t within 5 minutes of entering the car park, one of the rules set by the operator. The company told the BBC that "this is one of the specific terms and conditions for use of the car park. It is the driver's responsibility to read and understand the terms. It seems that Miss Hudson is the author of her own misfortune." They cancelled the bill following the publicity.

Another unfortunate parker, reported on Trustpilot, had his car broken into, so when he came back he had to clear lots of broken glass and call the police, etc, and overstayed by 34 minutes. The company turned down his appeal and he had to pay £60 despite sending them the police report.

Visiting a car park twice in one day can also go wrong, with the cameras linking the entry time from visit one and the exit time from visit two. Looks like an overstay, £60 please. For some companies not being able to start your car to leave isn’t a good enough excuse to avoid the penalty, even if you have evidence from the RAC or AA.

Last month a man who was 20 minutes late leaving a car park had been unable to return to his car on time because his wife was having seizures and was unconscious in the street. He appealed and was told he should have left her to move the car.

But how can you get charged even if you didn’t visit the car park?

Yes, it does sound crazy and the good news is that research hasn’t yet shown any such cases linked to Euro Car Parks. But although the company believes that the number plate recognition cameras system is the most effective solution for monitoring and tracking purposes, they acknowledge that its effectiveness can be compromised by damaged number plates, hindrances, and poor weather conditions.

A Trustpilot reviewer explains what can go wrong when the registration is misread. “I have just received a parking charge for Trevone beach PL28 8QY, I checked where this was and I haven’t been to Newquay for about 20 years, I live in North Wales. If you look at the photo the reg has an M at the end not a W.”

The same company also sent a Parking Charge Notice to a Groby couple, alleging an overstay on another Cornish car park they manage. They withdrew the notice when it was pointed out that they had never been there and although the entry photo was unclear and could be mistaken for their registration, the exit photo was clearly a different registration and a different car. Either the computer had mismatched the photos, or it had referred it for manual examination.

When the matter was raised with the DVLA, who had inadvertently committed an offence in providing name and address details to a company that did not have reasonable cause to ask for them, the company blamed the staff and reminded them to take more care when matching entry and exit photos. The DVLA discloses private data to parking companies that are members of an accredited trade organisation and does not require supporting information when requests are made via an electronic link.

What’s clear is that attempts to improve the regulation and performance of monitoring services have further to go and the balance between customer and company improved. If a PCN is issued because you made a mistake it will cost you dearly. But if it’s issued because the company makes a mistake there is no compensation for the anxiety, stress and time it takes to sort it out.

There is no reason to think that short visits to the Co-op by car will be problematical. A cautious customer may, however, consider it prudent to accept the offer of a receipt for purchases to provide a record of the visit.

Carpet store opens on Laundon Way, Groby

When Michael Devlin left the family farm in Omagh in Northern Ireland in 1967 he moved to England. He could never have imagined that, in time, there would be three elements which would contribute to his happy and satisfying life – his marriage, his six sons, and carpets. But it would be 23 years before he founded Devlin Wholesale in 1990, a carpet and flooring company that now supplies direct to the public.

It’s not unusual for a son or daughter to follow a parent into the family business, but to have six sons which tread the same path must surely be worthy of the Guinness Book of Records. At 82 years of age Michael can look back with satisfaction to the growth that the company has had in the last 34 years, and to the future as each son takes on the management of new branches.

And their new store in the formerly empty units next to the Co-op on Laundon Way is managed by one of the sons, Stephen Devlin. Showing no signs of wanting to put his feet up at home, Michael plans to be there until Christmas to support Stephen. The family firmly believe that the success of the business is defined by relationships and they nurture close relationships with employees, vendors, customers, and family members. Michael believes that a culture of ‘things done well and with a care’ ensured not only the great customer satisfaction of the past 34 years, but also a continued bright future for the company.

Inspector dismisses appeal against Borough Council decision

In November 2017 Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council refused to grant planning permission for a change of use of premises at 15 Ratby Road from retail shop to referral veterinary clinic. An appeal was made under section 78 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 against the refusal.

On 8 May the Planning Inspectorate announced their decision. For the reasons given in the decision document, and having regard to all other matters raised, the Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State concluded that the appeal should be dismissed.

The Inspector's Decision

1. The appeal is dismissed.

Procedural Matter

2. Both the application and appeal forms name the appellant as ‘C/o Agent’ and the Council also uses ‘C/o Agent’ on the refusal notice. Therefore, I have exceptionally referred to the agent within the above details.

Main Issue

2. The main issue is the effect of the proposed development on the vitality or viability of Groby Village Local Centre.

Reasons

3. The appeal site is a small retail (Class A1) unit in the centre of Groby on the Ratby Road and within the Groby Conservation Area. The shop is currently trading as a card and gift shop and sits between a jewellers and an estate agent/building society in the centre of the village. There are shops on the opposite side of the road.

4. The Council’s District, Local and Neighbourhood Centre Review (DLNCR) of January 2015 lists by name and use 21 units in Groby, which at the time comprised some 14 Class A1 and financial and professional services (Class A2) uses and various non-residential institutions (Class D1) and assembly and leisure uses (Class D2), namely a library, village hall and social club. During my visit I observed a good range of these uses, including a Co-Op supermarket, general store, newsagent, betting office, post office, pharmacy, florists, hairdressers, physio, several hot-food takeaways (Class A5), and The Stamford Arms public house (Class A4). Most of the units appeared occupied.

5. The appeal proposal seeks to change the use of 15 Ratby Road from a retail use (Class A1) to a veterinary referral clinic (Class D1). The appellant describes the intended new use in the submitted Design & Access Statement as one where animals are referred to when more specialised treatment is required, after visiting their usual vet. Animals would be seen by appointment only, with between 4 and 8 appointments per day, of which 50% of clients would be from the wider Leicester area. No animals would stay on the premises overnight and the opening hours would be 9.30am-5pm weekdays with an option for 9am-12 noon Saturday mornings, similar to a retail unit. Non-prescription veterinary products would be available for sale over the counter to local pet owners. There would be a maximum of 3 staff on duty at any one time.

6. Policy 7 of the Core Strategy (2009) (CS) lists Groby as one of the borough’s Key Rural Centres and which also relates to Leicester, identified for its provision of key services to the rural hinterland. To focus on maintaining existing services the Council will “resist the loss of local shops and facilities…unless it is demonstrated that the business or facilities can no longer operate in a viable manner’. Furthermore, Policy DM22 of the adopted Site Allocations and Development Management Policies Development Plan Document (2016) (SADMP) states that the loss of A1 or A2 uses in local centres, such as Groby, “will only be permitted where it can be demonstrated that the proposal would not detract from the vitality or viability of the Local Centre in terms of the mix and type of uses”. These policies generally accord with the advice in paragraph 85 the National Planning Policy Framework (the Framework) as revised in February 2019, of having a hierarchy and network of centres and promoting their long-term vitality and viability.

7. The appellant has not presented any substantive evidence to demonstrate that the existing retail unit is no longer able to operate in a viable manner. A shop could close and become vacant at any time for a variety of reasons, but it does not follow that that retail use or any other retail uses are unviable. Nor does closure remove its retail Class A1 use or prevent another retail operator trading from the premises. Even with changing shopping habits and internet shopping, the appellant has not put forward any case that the proposed use is a response to market demand. Whilst there is no policy requirement per se to market the property for a prescribed period of time before seeking to change its use, the appellant has not provided any substantive evidence that the property was indeed marketed as an A1/A2 use (with associated estate agent particulars, press or internet advertising for example), apart from saying it was advertised from April 2018 and the vets was the only interested party.

8. The existing D1/D2 community uses in Groby help contribute to its diversity and to its selection as one the borough’s Key Rural Centres. But their presence does not necessarily justify another D1 use. The proposed use may bring some new footfall to Groby while customers, including those from outside the Leicester area, wait for their animals. Similarly, the ancillary sale of nonprescription veterinary products may provide some service to local pet-owners. However, I have not been persuaded that the footfall or patronage of the proposed veterinary referral clinic would be greater than that for the existing retail use (or any other retail use that could occupy the unit) and to demonstrate that the alternative use would not detract from the vitality or viability of the local centre. Furthermore, the appointment-only nature of the proposal would limit the opportunity to bring significant diversity to Groby and would be of limited use for local residents. Therefore, I have not been persuaded that the proposed change of use would not detract from the vitality and viability of Groby as a Local Centre in terms of its mix and type of uses.

9. I find that the loss of a retail unit, without demonstration that it can no longer operate viably, would undermine the Council’s efforts to keep a retail base in Groby, which is identified as a Key Local Centre. Accordingly, the proposal would be contrary to Policy 7 of the CS. Furthermore, I have not been persuaded that the proposed use would not harm the vitality and viability of Groby as a Local Centre. Hence the proposal would be contrary to Policy D22 of the SADMP 10. It appellant refers to the unit once being a dwelling and hence is an additional retail unit. That may well be the case, but that appears to have been some time ago and is not pertinent to the case before me. The appellant’s reference to permitted development changes from retail to residential is largely irrelevant in this instance as the appeal property is within a conservation area where such changes would not be permitted without the prior approval of the Council.

These matters are not determinative in the case.

Conclusion

11.For the reasons given above, and having regard to all other matters raised, I conclude that the appeal should be dismissed.

K Stephens  8 May 2019

Flint closed in March

Flint closed in March, four months later than forecast last October by the agent for the planning applicant for the property at 15 Ratby Road. 

Flint's allegations rejected

Residents may have seen a board outside Flint on Ratby Road with allegations about the content of an article published in the November 2018 Groby Spotlight. Click the headline link to read Q&A and the article and satisfy yourself that there is no substance to the allegations.Flint closed in March, four months later than forecast last October by the agent for the planning applicant for the property at 15 Ratby Road.  January - March 2019

       -  Groby Food and Wine aims to take on the big players

       -  Budgens re-opened as a Co-op on October 1st 2015.

• Booker has agreed to buy Budgens and Londis.   More

• Post Office relocation to Budgens dropped 

• Cathy Stephens Jeweller articles

• Fast food until midnight and a new role for Wilson and Sons?

February 2015

Groby Post Office - statement issued by Budgens supermarket

As you may be aware we recently had the opportunity to apply to become a Post Office for the village of Groby. This opportunity was presented to us by the Post Office network, who instructed us the current post mistress had chosen to leave with a pay-off as she was unsuccessful in selling the post office for many years.

After meeting all strict criteria for the move, we successfully entered the final stages, which included a public consultation on the proposed move. Although we had a lot of support for the proposed change, we also had opposition to the move, mainly due to the location of our premises. We feel given the chance to have the post office in store, we could have offered the village a fantastic service, extended opening times 7am-9pm Mon-Sat & 10am-4pm Sunday's , 7 day service, new and larger counters, much easier access, and would have secured the jobs of not only the counter staff, but also the staff who work in the mail sorting area that would have moved to us with the branch. We did offer to provide a minibus service to help anybody who would have struggled but I believe this was not conveyed to concerned residents.

As it is quite clear the current sub-postmistress has chosen to leave , the post office will have to find another applicant with suitable premises for the post office and sorting office. It is clear the residents of the village are looking to keep the post office in its current location, however if this does not prove possible suitable premises will be required.

We wish the Groby Post Office best wishes for the future, and would like to thank all the residents of Groby for their support.

February 2015

Post Office relocation to Budgens dropped

The proposed relocation of Groby Post Office from Leicester Road to Budgens Supermarket has been dropped following local opposition to the proposal during the public consultation.  Reacting to the news  Councillor Martin Cartwright (Lib Dem) said: “Many thanks to everyone who responded to the Groby Post Office modernisation and relocation consultation. Groby residents strongly felt that the post office should remain where it is. The Post Office in its current location has served our community well for many years with the postmistress, her family and staff giving excellent service in all weathers and I’m pleased that will continue. I’m grateful that the Post Office gave local people the chance to have their say and that they listened to local views. I also thank the Post Office for taking the time and giving me the chance to meet with them to express the concerns that so many Groby residents have given to me.”

In a letter confirming the decision  Adrian Wales, Regional Network Manager at the Post Office wrote :

"The local public consultation on the proposal to move Groby Post Office from its current location to Budgens, HRM Retail Ltd, Laundon Way, Groby, Leicester, LE6 0YG ended on 19 January 2015. I’m now writing to let you know the outcome of the local public consultation and our final decision on the proposed move.

During the local public consultation we received approximately 90 individual responses from customers and local representatives and a petition with over 500 signatures, objecting to the proposal. Post Office Ltd representatives also met with Councillor Martin Cartwright, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, which provided us with the opportunity to listen to customers’ concerns and to explain the reason for the proposal. Citizens Advice, the independent statutory consumer watchdog for the Post Office network, also expressed significant concerns about the proposed move. All the feedback helped me to understand customers’ concerns and was taken into account before making a decision.

In the main, feedback focused on the distance and journey to the proposed new location, which was said to be outside the centre of the village, away from other shops and local amenities. People commented that the bus service to the new site was infrequent and only operated one-way and that it would be too far to walk for elderly customers and those with mobility issues. Others commented on the route which was said to be hilly and on the impact the move would have on the local community, particularly elderly residents including those residing in the elderly people’s bungalows close to the current branch.

After careful consideration we have decided not to proceed with the proposed move of Groby Post Office to Budgens, HRM Retail Ltd, Laundon Way. In making our decision, we have taken into account all relevant factors including the impact this would have on customer access to our services, the responses we received as part of the consultation process and the concerns raised by Citizens Advice.

The branch will therefore continue to operate from its existing location for the time being. In line with our Code of Practice, any proposed new location would be subject to a further 6-week period of local public consultation."

December 2014

Proposed re-location to Budgens Supermarket

A consultation is underway to get the comments of the public about the suitability of the proposed location at Budgens supermarket on Laundon Way before the plans are finalised.  In a letter to customers the Post Office explained that it would be a  6 week local public consultation to hear the views of customers about :

• How suitable the new location and premises are and how easy it is to get there

• Whether the new premises are easy to get into and is there easy access inside?

• Any concerns about the new location?

• If so, suggestions that could help make it better

• Any local community issues which could be affected by the proposed move

• Anything customers particularly like about the proposed change.

The new post office will open for longer open from Monday to Saturday from 9.00am to 5.30pm.  The proposal means a modern open plan branch in newly refurbished premises offering the same products and services with the addition of Car tax.  Selected Post Office services will also be available at the retail counter during shop opening.

The consultation will run until January 19th.  A leaflet will be available in the post office and you can make contact in the following ways -

Online : www.postofficeviews.co.uk/liveconsultation.php

Email   :comments@postoffice.co.uk

Phone  :Call 08457 22 33 44 Textphone 08457 22 33 55

"This change is part of a major programme of modernisation and investment taking place across the Post Office network, the largest in the history of Post Office Ltd, which will see up to 8,000 branches modernised and additional investment in over 3,000 community and outreach branches," explained a spokesperson.  "The  programme is underpinned by Government investment, with the Government committing £1.34bn in 2010 to maintain and modernise the Post Office network and in November 2013 announcing a further £640m investment in the Post Office network until 2018."

Views within the village are mixed, as a location that is convenient for everyone could be difficult to find.  Residents who live near Budgens, or travel to the current post office by car, may welcome the move.  But  the new location may be less popular amongst those who are closer to the Leicester Road premises or who visit whilst shopping, using the library or going to the Village Hall, the Club or the doctor's surgery.

Councillor Peter Batty told the December meeting of the Parish Council that he had been contacted by many residents very unhappy and strongly opposed to a proposal that does not appear to be at all popular other than to residents who live near to Budgens.  "A common theme seems to be that Groby needs a proper Post Office in the heart of the village, not a counter in a supermarket on the fringe of a village," he added.