Tim Ball

I would like to draw your attention to Mr Tang's own feelings over the proposed demolition of the takeaway and the petition that the Magic Wok staff are compiling:
www.proudoftwerton.com/news.html

Sorry to chip in twice, but I felt the need to say that although the building in question is not my cup of tea aesthetically, it may be the case that the video shop and the takeaway are valued by people in the community. The long list of names on Mr Tang's petition suggest that over the years the takeaway has managed to build up a rapport with locals, who may not be too bothered about the look of the building. What might seem like an act of redevelopment may be viewed as a loss by people who live in Twerton.

I am a tenant of 105a high street,Twerton, Bath. currently running as Chinese Take-away. I am so dissapointed the way the planning services of Bath & NE Somerset Council. Firstly the council put the notice note beside the Blockbuster shop, I was so shock to hear my customer told me that, there was a notice for demolition of the building 105 high street (blockbuster shop & chinese take-away) which we did not received any letter from the council, I was so frustrated that, I phoned the planning services Department asking; how can the Bayleigh Estates Ltd (owner of the building) trying for demolition the building without letting the tenants known. Should the Blockbuster shop & Chinese take-way have any right to say anything? after all we are paying the rents & rates on time.
Two weeks later I received a letter from the council explain the proposal of the building, which I am compiling the petition to object the demolition, as I have 300 signatures for the petition to be send to the council, but find out that one of the staff from the planning department saying all the signatures count as one objection, therefore it requires every single letter.
I have receiving all the letters & support from the residents and they have kindly send their letters to the council.
I hope the planning services department will acknowledge and take these comments seriously, otherwise there will be a loss for the local community, such as ( Family with a young children for a night in with the entertainment in the Blockbuster video shop and an excerllent food from the Chinese takeaway)

Joe is right in saying that both the takeaway and Blockbuster add a valuable service to the community. Blockbuster will no doubt find a new location for their business and it will be Twerton's loss, but I wonder if it will be so easy for the Tang family? I welcome the redevelopment of the land (with reservations over the current application). The current building is ugly and I think that in the long term it will be good for economic regeneration. However, the lack of consideration and financial implications for the Tang family are unacceptable and morally dubious. It takes years to build up a customer base and a good reputation. Wouldn't it be refreshing if the owners of the property - who stand to make a large profit - could be held accountable and be made to do the right thing? For example, at their expense, re-house the takeaway and offer the Tangs first refusal on an affordable lease in the new building?

May Tang has a good point when she brings up the significance of the video shop as a resource for families in Twerton. With it's collection of children's films, the video shop provides a means for a family to watch a film together, who may not be able to afford the bus fares and costs of going to see a film at the cinema.
So I think that the sense of loss associated with the demolition of the video shop could be extensive, and must be considered empathetically by the authorities as they consider the pros and cons of the proposed "redevelopment".