So… what was the thinking behind this, then? Image supplied by good mate Howmuch?
Shopping giant Tesco, fresh from expecting the residents of Brownhills to get excited over the fact that they have painted their store and fixed a few leaks for the first time in nearly two decades, seem to be intent on creating their own little retail island. The people behind the ‘Refresh’ (a mere turd polish of an ageing, current retail shed executed at the expense of a completely new store) have, for some reason, decided to block off the pedestrian access to the car park that formerly existed from the steps at the top of Ravens Court.
Where the hedge in the above picture looks uncut, there used to be a paved gap, and pedestrians could cross the car park here in relative safety using the refuges provided. Sadly, no more, and I have no idea why.
Lots of money has been spent on new signage, benches (soon to be removed due to ASB, you watch) and wooden cladding to make this hideous edifice look reasonable. Sadly, none could be found for bike stands, and the site still has no bicycle parking. The range instore, clearly tailored to what they percieve as the local market conditions, is still woefully limited.
Tesco were planning to build a brand new store on this spot – but abandoned their plans after hitting choppy commercial waters, opting to tart up their existing premises, much to the delight of Brownhills Barry, who seems to be something of a fan.
Thanks to reader and top mate of the blog [Howmuch?] for snapping this and sending it in…
Added Wednesday, 1st August 2012, 10:30pm:
Thanks to a number of readers – Vickie Heydon-Matterface, Trevor Bond, Ian Carr and others who contacted me to say the path was back open. Cheers. I’m inclined to think it was an oversight, but you never know.