Another Tesco? What will become of the Toby Jug Site in Tolworth?

Over the last few years, there has been much deliberation over what is to become of the site that previously housed the Ministry of Defence buildings and the Toby Jug Public House. The site is located in Tolworth next to Charrington Bowl. There have been many proposals for what this site should become and each one would affect us in a different way.

One company closely associated with this area is Tesco. In 2002 Tesco purchased the site from the government and worked up plans for the site. In October 2006 Tesco unveiled their plans. What they proposed shocked many locals around the area into rebellion. Tesco intended to build a new 89,000 square foot superstore with 662 flats in blocks 12 storeys high. The project was named ‘The Bridge’ due to the large bridge that they also proposed to build that would span the A3 road separating the site from Tolworth Broadway.

However a group formed in revolt of the idea, stating that the new Tesco and flats would have disastrous consequences for the local area. Firstly, the new Tesco superstore was seen as unnecessary due to the other Tesco superstore located 3 miles down the A3 in New Malden. The new superstore also worried companies on Tolworth Broadway. There are many convenience stores, bakeries and butchers located along this road that would all go out of business, as they would not be able to compete with the prices that Tesco can offer and therefore lose custom. The flats also caused dispute. With 662 new flats and with an average of at least two people living in each flat that would be over 1200 new people to introduce into Tolworth’s economy. These people will need local education and health care and the influx of over 1200 new neighbours would require new schools and dentists to be built that the council could simply not afford. This backlash has seen the withdrawal of these plans by Tesco.

Nevertheless Tesco seem determined to build on this site and have put forward another set of plans that they hope will not cause such a stir. The new plans include a reduced number of flats, which will also be shorter in height. The plans also include a community centre and a complete revamp of Tolworth Roundabout. The large bridge has also been humbled to a smaller pedestrian bridge. If they can get planning permission, Tesco hope to be finished by 2013. For now, we will have to wait and see if Tesco can get the planning permission that they need in order to construct this controversial development.