Historic pub to be converted into a KFC (From Epsom Guardian)

Historic Ewell pub to be converted into a KFC

2:50pm Monday 20th August 2012 in News By Hardeep Matharu

The Organ and Dragon, on London Road in Ewell, will become a KFC

A pub which has been serving the Ewell community since the 18th century is to be converted into a fast food restaurant.

The Organ and Dragon, a Thai restaurant and pub on London Road in Ewell, closed down on July 17, after its owner Punch Taverns sold the freehold.

The sale ignited concerns from residents that the historic watering hole would be turned into a supermarket, nightclub, new housing or be torn down - but it was this week confirmed that it has been bought by fast food chain KFC.

In a letter to residents, Pegasus Planning Group (PPG), said the existing building would be retained and run as a KFC restaurant and takeaway, in a move creating 40 full and part-time jobs.

Although planning permission is not required for the building to continue as a restaurant, it is necessary for it be turned into a takeaway.

In the letter, David Onions, of PPG, said: "Some limited alterations are necessary to the building to allow for the use and plans of these have been prepared.

"KFC would welcome your comments, views and opinion before finalising a planning application that would then be submitted to Epsom and Ewell Council, and invite you to come along to an open evening to have a look at the plans, ask questions and provide comments."

Vicki Everest, who lives in Bluegates in Ewell, said: "To say this is an utterly abhorrent use of this historic site is an understatement.

"This cannot possibly be considered appropriate or positive for the area, without even mentioning the increased noise, pollution, litter, negative impact on house prices or further congestion on an already dangerously busy junction."

The pub started trading as the Organ Inn in the 1780s and was renamed the Organ and Dragon in 1978.

A display of the plans and proposals will be held in the Studio Room at Bourne Hall, in Spring Street, Ewell, on August 22 from 4pm to 8pm.

Do you think the Organ and Dragon should be converted into a KFC? Email Hardeep Matharu on hmatharu@london.newsquest.co.uk

Comments(39)

jpmulvey says...
3:33pm Mon 20 Aug 12

It's better that the building is used, than pulled down and turned in to flats..

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surrey-L says...
4:45pm Mon 20 Aug 12

Yeyyyyyy!

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john72 says...
9:36pm Mon 20 Aug 12

Yes why not knock all the remaining historic neighbourhood pubs in and around Sutton and Ewell? The Angel , The Dolphin and The Sydney Arms and the Worcester Park Tavern would all make great betting shops and fast food outlets. This would just add further to the ambience and character of the local area.
Even better still lets knock them all down and replace them with expensive ,un-affordable designer flats which local people will not be able to move into.
Then we can all sit at home in silence watching X - Factor on our 32" flat screens , drinking 4 packs of Tennents Super and munching on KFC or Domino's.

Pubs........who needs conversation or a community any more ......?

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jennings1234 says...
10:38pm Mon 20 Aug 12

"Use it or lose it" comes to mind.

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Savetheorgan says...
9:36am Tue 21 Aug 12

Hi

Problem wasn't the pub wasn't used.

The pub has been sold because of the poor management of Punch taverns. The over extended all their lines of credit, and have been in a fire sale of any property that they can.

Their share price reflects, their financial difficulties from about £10 in 2008 to 7p today.

http://uk.finance.ya
hoo.com/q/bc?s=PUB.L
&t=5y

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fedup58 says...
1:27pm Tue 21 Aug 12

Better than a Social Housing Estate

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Prince Philip of Greece says...
4:20pm Tue 21 Aug 12

It was still called The Organ Inn when I last had a drink in there.

This part of Britain needs more housing and less KFCs.

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sfocata says...
9:27pm Tue 21 Aug 12

I don't know about this particular pub, but Savetheorgan hits the nail on the head. The reason so many pubs are closing isn't because people aren't interested in pubs any more... it's because people aren't interested in what's on offer. Subtle difference.

The dominance of pubcos has given us thousands of bland, formulaic pubs selling exactly the same pre-packaged "lifestyle" of dull food, industrial fake beer and sports TV. They'll run them as cheaply as possible (paying apathetic staff the bare minimum) and if people choose to take their discerning custom elsewhere, no problem... the land is still worth a fortune.

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Expatasb says...
4:35am Wed 22 Aug 12

It's not as if Ewell was ever short of pubs -I grew up just two streets away from the Organ but my choice of watering holes was usually the Spring or the Wheatsheaf. I only visited the Organ a few times - probably the 'off-liscence' was its most convenient feature. I think that a family friendly restaurant would work well at that location but it's a shame to think of it as housing a fast food joint. However, in America, where I currently live, that's pretty much the way it goes - particularly in this tight economy.

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Savetheorgan says...
8:18am Wed 22 Aug 12

Hi

One of the main reason that pubs are closing, it that supermarkets sell drink below cost, to attract customers through the door.

Just up the road from the organ you can get this

http://www2.sainsbur
ys.co.uk/instoreoffe
rs/instore-offers.ht
m

3 Cases of foster , and others, for just £22 (a case is 15x440ml). So 63p a pint...

Until there are restrictions on supermarkets selling drink below costs, then pubs are going to suffer.

Pubs are closing at record rates, and it is the councils who pander to the supermarkets (Who thinks we need Tesco in Epsom, apart from the council?), and the goverments taxation that is leading to these closures.

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DB says...
8:56am Wed 22 Aug 12

Savetheorgan wrote:
Hi One of the main reason that pubs are closing, it that supermarkets sell drink below cost, to attract customers through the door. Just up the road from the organ you can get this http://www2.sainsbur ys.co.uk/instoreoffe rs/instore-offers.ht m 3 Cases of foster , and others, for just £22 (a case is 15x440ml). So 63p a pint... Until there are restrictions on supermarkets selling drink below costs, then pubs are going to suffer. Pubs are closing at record rates, and it is the councils who pander to the supermarkets (Who thinks we need Tesco in Epsom, apart from the council?), and the goverments taxation that is leading to these closures.

I agree that supermarkets should not be selling alcohol so cheaply, but even if this was stopped, I am not sure that a lot of pubs have a viable business model.

I can't speak for this particular pub, but most that I have been into are charging over £4 for a pint of lager now.

They will cite taxation and running costs as reasons why thay have to charge this much, but the fact of the matter is that a lot of people can only afford to go to the pub as a 'treat' at these prices, where as they would have gone a lot more often in the past.

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Savetheorgan says...
11:07am Wed 22 Aug 12

Hi

Tax now makes up 41% of the cost of a typical pint of beer served in a pub.

And the government have the beer duty escalator which increases beer tax by 2% above inflation every year, and is currently in place until 2014/15!

Frankly it isn't surprising pubs end up having to charge so much for beer!

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protect-the-area says...
11:27am Wed 22 Aug 12

Totally agree with John72, looks like we are headed that way.

This pub was lovely it had a chilled ambience, was friendly and prices were reasonable. It was also very busy. I have been visiting some other pubs in the area recently and am astonished by how quiet they are in comparison. Something very odd has gone on here (imo) regarding this sale. I would love to know the true facts, as I remain suspicious from what I have heard.

Communities need good pubs they can help to prevent over-drinking (research has found it is much more likely to happen when people drink alone), loneliness and isolation and also many pubs raise money for their local communties. Good pubs do well - there are many great examples that have set up with a selection of real ales and some with a microbrewery and good restuarants and they are an asset to their communities. This is what we need.

If this site became housing - there would be no way back and it would be a real loss. In the 1930's planners had the right idea - provide housing but also pubs, services and GP surgery's for all. Looks like our planners don't care anymore. We will be sorry when we have clawed our way out of this recession and find that we have lost most of our pubs, libraries, Scout halls and community centres. All this will have been sanctioned by local councils - it is short-sighted.

I really hope this does not become a KFC. What on earth is the council thinking allowing it to go ahead? Obesity and diabetes rates are soaring in children (not to mention adults). Coronary heart disease remains a problem. Perhaps they are the ones who will be sitting in there on a Saturday night stuffing their faces with greasy chicken staring out at the litter on the street and wondering where all the community spirit has gone.

What a shame.

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fedup58 says...
11:45am Wed 22 Aug 12

Ok so the Government do not want us to drink too much they don't want us to eat too much fat. So the Organ will go from a Pub to fast food restaurant, not much difference health wise. Maybe after the recession KFC could turn it into a Pub serving KFC, that would be different, then we can all gorge ourselves whilst boozing to excess. Sounds good to me!

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protect-the-area says...
12:03pm Wed 22 Aug 12

Hey - perhaps the KFC could provide a trough outside? (In addition to its wonderful bucket concept of course). That way people wandering by after hours could simply fall in head first and suck it all up! Yaaaay sounds great!

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sfocata says...
12:28pm Wed 22 Aug 12

DB wrote:

Savetheorgan wrote:
Hi One of the main reason that pubs are closing, it that supermarkets sell drink below cost, to attract customers through the door. Just up the road from the organ you can get this http://www2.sainsbur ys.co.uk/instoreoffe rs/instore-offers.ht m 3 Cases of foster , and others, for just £22 (a case is 15x440ml). So 63p a pint... Until there are restrictions on supermarkets selling drink below costs, then pubs are going to suffer. Pubs are closing at record rates, and it is the councils who pander to the supermarkets (Who thinks we need Tesco in Epsom, apart from the council?), and the goverments taxation that is leading to these closures.
I agree that supermarkets should not be selling alcohol so cheaply, but even if this was stopped, I am not sure that a lot of pubs have a viable business model.

I can't speak for this particular pub, but most that I have been into are charging over £4 for a pint of lager now.

They will cite taxation and running costs as reasons why thay have to charge this much, but the fact of the matter is that a lot of people can only afford to go to the pub as a 'treat' at these prices, where as they would have gone a lot more often in the past.

The massive taxation also means that pubs can't take any risks. There are LOADS of great breweries within 15-20 miles of here, but how many pubs can afford to stock small quantities of several beers? They're forced into stocking a couple of bland big names, meaning they never broaden their customer base.

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DB says...
2:27pm Wed 22 Aug 12

sfocata wrote:

DB wrote:
Savetheorgan wrote: Hi One of the main reason that pubs are closing, it that supermarkets sell drink below cost, to attract customers through the door. Just up the road from the organ you can get this http://www2.sainsbur ys.co.uk/instoreoffe rs/instore-offers.ht m 3 Cases of foster , and others, for just £22 (a case is 15x440ml). So 63p a pint... Until there are restrictions on supermarkets selling drink below costs, then pubs are going to suffer. Pubs are closing at record rates, and it is the councils who pander to the supermarkets (Who thinks we need Tesco in Epsom, apart from the council?), and the goverments taxation that is leading to these closures.
I agree that supermarkets should not be selling alcohol so cheaply, but even if this was stopped, I am not sure that a lot of pubs have a viable business model. I can't speak for this particular pub, but most that I have been into are charging over £4 for a pint of lager now. They will cite taxation and running costs as reasons why thay have to charge this much, but the fact of the matter is that a lot of people can only afford to go to the pub as a 'treat' at these prices, where as they would have gone a lot more often in the past.
The massive taxation also means that pubs can't take any risks. There are LOADS of great breweries within 15-20 miles of here, but how many pubs can afford to stock small quantities of several beers? They're forced into stocking a couple of bland big names, meaning they never broaden their customer base.

What I don't understand is why there is such a big difference between the taxation rates for on-sales and off-sales.

I realise that Tesco etc are often selling beer at a loss to promote other products, but I can walk into a local convenience store and pick up a four-pack for £5. How much of that is tax?

[quote][p][bold]sfocata[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]DB[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Savetheorgan[/bold] wrote: Hi One of the main reason that pubs are closing, it that supermarkets sell drink below cost, to attract customers through the door. Just up the road from the organ you can get this http://www2.sainsbur ys.co.uk/instoreoffe rs/instore-offers.ht m 3 Cases of foster , and others, for just £22 (a case is 15x440ml). So 63p a pint... Until there are restrictions on supermarkets selling drink below costs, then pubs are going to suffer. Pubs are closing at record rates, and it is the councils who pander to the supermarkets (Who thinks we need Tesco in Epsom, apart from the council?), and the goverments taxation that is leading to these closures.[/p][/quote]I agree that supermarkets should not be selling alcohol so cheaply, but even if this was stopped, I am not sure that a lot of pubs have a viable business model. I can't speak for this particular pub, but most that I have been into are charging over £4 for a pint of lager now. They will cite taxation and running costs as reasons why thay have to charge this much, but the fact of the matter is that a lot of people can only afford to go to the pub as a 'treat' at these prices, where as they would have gone a lot more often in the past.[/p][/quote]The massive taxation also means that pubs can't take any risks. There are LOADS of great breweries within 15-20 miles of here, but how many pubs can afford to stock small quantities of several beers? They're forced into stocking a couple of bland big names, meaning they never broaden their customer base.[/p][/quote]What I don't understand is why there is such a big difference between the taxation rates for on-sales and off-sales. I realise that Tesco etc are often selling beer at a loss to promote other products, but I can walk into a local convenience store and pick up a four-pack for £5. How much of that is tax? DB

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john72 says...
11:22pm Wed 22 Aug 12

Also think of the loss of social heritage too? All those times local patrons over the years who have celebrated christenings, weddings and toasted those those have dearly departed. Celebrations such as the Queens Silver Jubilee and probably times such as rejoicing the end of the WW1 & WW2/Falklands and when England won the world cup in '66 to name but a few.

Instead the whole of this part of Surrey/ South London is being swamped with betting shops, gold buying franchises and kebab and fast food outlets alongside more Tesco Express's.

With libraries, community halls and post offices closing (even petrol stations) , it seems the council and local government is now targeting one of the few social institutions available for people of all different backgrounds and classes to meet up, converse and drink in a responsible manner.

Britain is world famous for its Pubs, Inns and Taverns. But in the not so distant future this will be just a quaint memory.

When the recovery does eventually happen new bars and identikit watering holes may well spring up, abet with none of the history, soul and culture and background of those being demolished at present.

Remember it's your government and local council who YOU voted, for who are in league with developers, supermarkets and town planners and who are encouraging the wholesale destruction of a cherished and much loved institution - The British Pub.

Within 10 we will probably be just like the USA, Australia and main land Europe. A country where alcoholic beverages will be consumed in bland, soulless bars and designer trendy watering holes.

If you care about your heritage and community make an effort to get to know the patrons and licencee of your local community pub!

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sfocata says...
11:33pm Wed 22 Aug 12

DB - It baffles me too. The supermarkets claim not to be making a loss, so the breweries then have to cut their wholesale prices (very risky for smaller breweries, caught between a rock and a hard place).

John72 - very well put.

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Smiffffy says...
11:54am Thu 23 Aug 12

NOOOOOOO.....this is so not right! How can the council even consider this? I think someone is receiving back handers me thinks! Why can it not be sold to another brewery to do a gastro pub or Youngs which are very successful pubs?! We have 3 youngs in our area that whilst are expensive drink wise(at least it keeps the riff raff out) they do serve great food, have a good ambience and cater for families too! This is the way forward.... KFC my *£$"! You should be ashamed of yourselves. I'd rather see a youth club or something constructive to entertain the Ewell/Epsom youngsters than see it turned in to yet another greasy fast food joint for all our kids to get obese on. Come on guys....a little imagination please!

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fedup58 says...
12:31pm Thu 23 Aug 12

Nobody has mentioned that when the Leases expire on some Pubs the Breweries are tripleing the rents so Landlords cannot afford to stay in business given the profits they make on beer. They make more selling a soft drink and a Pasta meal. If you complain too much about KFC you could end up with a Tesco Express!

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Bluegates says...
1:35pm Thu 23 Aug 12

Last night there was a meeting at Bourne Hall around this. KFC have already bought the building. They own it - so it's unlikely it's not going to be a KFC (unless they really get hacked off with the ongoing objections). What we now need to oppose is the take-away fucntion, any drive thru, plans for road layout changes and so on. It's the fact that this is going to become a cause for litter, noise, traffic congestion and a congregation point for late night boy-racer types, that causes me the greatest concern.

The good news is that there were many angry residents at the meeting last night, all with the same view. I only hope that they continue to contact local counsellors, MP for the area (Chris Grayling), sign the various petitions that are being circulated and continue to ensure that once planning applications are formally submitted that they continue to fight/oppose these.

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DB says...
2:36pm Thu 23 Aug 12

Bluegates wrote:
Last night there was a meeting at Bourne Hall around this. KFC have already bought the building. They own it - so it's unlikely it's not going to be a KFC (unless they really get hacked off with the ongoing objections). What we now need to oppose is the take-away fucntion, any drive thru, plans for road layout changes and so on. It's the fact that this is going to become a cause for litter, noise, traffic congestion and a congregation point for late night boy-racer types, that causes me the greatest concern. The good news is that there were many angry residents at the meeting last night, all with the same view. I only hope that they continue to contact local counsellors, MP for the area (Chris Grayling), sign the various petitions that are being circulated and continue to ensure that once planning applications are formally submitted that they continue to fight/oppose these.

Tesco have owned their site at Tolworth roundabout for years, but have not yet built anything there because of the weight of public opposition. This opposition can definitely have an effect, and KFC have got nowhere near the financial muscle of Tesco, so I'd expect them to get tired of fighting a bit more quickly.

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Bluegates says...
2:45pm Thu 23 Aug 12

That's very reassuring to hear - thanks!

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DB says...
2:48pm Thu 23 Aug 12

john72 wrote:
Also think of the loss of social heritage too? All those times local patrons over the years who have celebrated christenings, weddings and toasted those those have dearly departed. Celebrations such as the Queens Silver Jubilee and probably times such as rejoicing the end of the WW1 & WW2/Falklands and when England won the world cup in '66 to name but a few. Instead the whole of this part of Surrey/ South London is being swamped with betting shops, gold buying franchises and kebab and fast food outlets alongside more Tesco Express's. With libraries, community halls and post offices closing (even petrol stations) , it seems the council and local government is now targeting one of the few social institutions available for people of all different backgrounds and classes to meet up, converse and drink in a responsible manner. Britain is world famous for its Pubs, Inns and Taverns. But in the not so distant future this will be just a quaint memory. When the recovery does eventually happen new bars and identikit watering holes may well spring up, abet with none of the history, soul and culture and background of those being demolished at present. Remember it's your government and local council who YOU voted, for who are in league with developers, supermarkets and town planners and who are encouraging the wholesale destruction of a cherished and much loved institution - The British Pub. Within 10 we will probably be just like the USA, Australia and main land Europe. A country where alcoholic beverages will be consumed in bland, soulless bars and designer trendy watering holes. If you care about your heritage and community make an effort to get to know the patrons and licencee of your local community pub!

John72 is exactly right in saying:

"Instead the whole of this part of Surrey/ South London is being swamped with betting shops, gold buying franchises and kebab and fast food outlets alongside more Tesco Express'"

I drove from Surbiton to Epsom the other night and this is very true. Surbiton and Epsom town centres are ok-ish, but that whole tract between them from Tolworth onwards have more of this type of shop than anything else.

Tolworth, sadly, has been like this for years, but the individual parades along the A240 in West Ewell used to have quite a few indepedent, useful shops. Now they are mainly just like mini-Tolworths.

Nowhere is exempt from this. The parade right outside Surbiton station contains a cheque cashing place and a kebab shop and the amount of betting shops in the town centre actually threatens to overtake the Surbiton staples of estate agents and charity shops!

The problem is that we are sleep-walking into this. Councils are granting permission for these places because their town is not as bad as the next one, and so it carries on.

Large towns like Kingston are the only ones that get away relatively well, because they seem to be able to zone this type of place. One end of Kingston is pretty sad with it's 99p store, Lidl, Wilkinsons and proliferation of betting and kebab shops whilst the other end around by the market place feels like it is a totally different town.

[quote][p][bold]john72[/bold] wrote: Also think of the loss of social heritage too? All those times local patrons over the years who have celebrated christenings, weddings and toasted those those have dearly departed. Celebrations such as the Queens Silver Jubilee and probably times such as rejoicing the end of the WW1 & WW2/Falklands and when England won the world cup in '66 to name but a few. Instead the whole of this part of Surrey/ South London is being swamped with betting shops, gold buying franchises and kebab and fast food outlets alongside more Tesco Express's. With libraries, community halls and post offices closing (even petrol stations) , it seems the council and local government is now targeting one of the few social institutions available for people of all different backgrounds and classes to meet up, converse and drink in a responsible manner. Britain is world famous for its Pubs, Inns and Taverns. But in the not so distant future this will be just a quaint memory. When the recovery does eventually happen new bars and identikit watering holes may well spring up, abet with none of the history, soul and culture and background of those being demolished at present. Remember it's your government and local council who YOU voted, for who are in league with developers, supermarkets and town planners and who are encouraging the wholesale destruction of a cherished and much loved institution - The British Pub. Within 10 we will probably be just like the USA, Australia and main land Europe. A country where alcoholic beverages will be consumed in bland, soulless bars and designer trendy watering holes. If you care about your heritage and community make an effort to get to know the patrons and licencee of your local community pub![/p][/quote]John72 is exactly right in saying: "Instead the whole of this part of Surrey/ South London is being swamped with betting shops, gold buying franchises and kebab and fast food outlets alongside more Tesco Express'" I drove from Surbiton to Epsom the other night and this is very true. Surbiton and Epsom town centres are ok-ish, but that whole tract between them from Tolworth onwards have more of this type of shop than anything else. Tolworth, sadly, has been like this for years, but the individual parades along the A240 in West Ewell used to have quite a few indepedent, useful shops. Now they are mainly just like mini-Tolworths. Nowhere is exempt from this. The parade right outside Surbiton station contains a cheque cashing place and a kebab shop and the amount of betting shops in the town centre actually threatens to overtake the Surbiton staples of estate agents and charity shops! The problem is that we are sleep-walking into this. Councils are granting permission for these places because their town is not as bad as the next one, and so it carries on. Large towns like Kingston are the only ones that get away relatively well, because they seem to be able to zone this type of place. One end of Kingston is pretty sad with it's 99p store, Lidl, Wilkinsons and proliferation of betting and kebab shops whilst the other end around by the market place feels like it is a totally different town. DB

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elaine jury says...
2:57pm Thu 23 Aug 12

I agree with DB and I do think public pressure works. I have spoken to Epsom Council this morning and as yet KFC have not put in any planning requests on this site and until they do there is not much that can be done. When they receive the planning requests the council then send out a letter to residents so they can have their say. The joke of this is they only send out 50 letters so only a very very small percentage of residents will see this. I have sent a request to the Council asking to be one of the 50 I will then have them copied and will deliver to a much wider area. Please keep your eyes out for any planning notice on the building or in local papers. This is when we need to bombard the council with our objections. Many of you said last night you would be willing to help so once I have the letter I will be calling on people to ask them to deliver in their own roads.

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Bluegates says...
3:01pm Thu 23 Aug 12

That's great Elaine - I'm also more than willing to help out where I can and enrol further support. I will also let you know if/when I hear anything from this end.

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LauraJeanyBale says...
10:52am Fri 24 Aug 12

If the residents of Ewell and Stoneleigh don't want KFC on its doorstep, then let's take inspiration from the villagers of Hinchley Wood. In a similar predicament to us, they took on MacDonalds and won! The similarities between their plight and ours are striking: http://www.telegraph
.co.uk/property/4809
632/Victory-for-the-
village-that-took-on
-McDonalds.html

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Bluegates says...
10:53am Fri 24 Aug 12

Let'sn do it!

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LauraJeanyBale says...
10:56am Fri 24 Aug 12

elaine jury wrote:
I agree with DB and I do think public pressure works. I have spoken to Epsom Council this morning and as yet KFC have not put in any planning requests on this site and until they do there is not much that can be done. When they receive the planning requests the council then send out a letter to residents so they can have their say. The joke of this is they only send out 50 letters so only a very very small percentage of residents will see this. I have sent a request to the Council asking to be one of the 50 I will then have them copied and will deliver to a much wider area. Please keep your eyes out for any planning notice on the building or in local papers. This is when we need to bombard the council with our objections. Many of you said last night you would be willing to help so once I have the letter I will be calling on people to ask them to deliver in their own roads.

Elaine - I have set up a Facebook page called No to KFC at Site of Organ and Dragon - feel free to use this as a forum to spread the word help the campaign!

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sfocata says...
11:18am Fri 24 Aug 12

I appreciate that the councils can't be blamed entirely for these situations. They just don't have the money, time or staff to create culturally rich and diverse little jewels out of their towns. I'd love to see several dull chainstores kicked out of Epsom, to be replaced by craft beer bars, independent bookshops, an art-house cinema and a decent arts centre.

But it's not going to happen, and even if the council could exert proper pressure, even more people would squeal that the "nanny state" was interfering with their precious market forces (which is precisely what leads to KFC, Tesco and McDonalds taking hold).

BUT... DB is spot on when he says we're "sleepwalking" into these situations. It's the slow drip-drip-drip effect... after a year or two, that KFC doesn't seem so bad, because at least the plan for a car park was cancelled, and maybe that new Asda will be better than the high-rise office block that was also proposed, and oh, wasn't there a park here once? Still, that Tesco is convenient, even if you can't get half the stuff you used to get from the ironmongers, florists and Oriental grocery that were bulldozed. Etc...

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elaine jury says...
8:05pm Sat 25 Aug 12

Laura is so right people pressure does work these residents took on
Mcdonalds and won. We can do the same. But we need everyone who cares to write to the planning
department at Epsom and letting them Know how they feel. Please also tell as many people as you can of the proposed use of this sight there are many residents who still think it is going to be flats.

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elaine jury says...
8:09pm Sat 25 Aug 12

elaine jury wrote:
Laura is so right people pressure does work these residents took on
Mcdonalds and won. We can do the same. But we need everyone who cares to write to the planning
department at Epsom and letting them Know how they feel. Please also tell as many people as you can of the proposed use of this sight there are many residents who still think it is going to be flats.

Laura is right people pressure does work. The residents of Hinchley Wood took on Mcdonalds and won. We can do the same with KFC. Please write to the planning department at Epsom council and let them know you opposition to this development. Please also tell as many people as you can about about the proposed use of this site there are many residents who think it is going to be flats.

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VixFJones says...
8:25pm Sat 25 Aug 12

as someone who lives doors away, I'm worried about the value to my house, the increase in litter and the smell I will now get in my garden. The clients who visited the pub are very different to the clients who will visit a KFC.

I also know from a friend how disgusting the facilities at KFC are and how regular the rats and cockroaches are.

I'm so disappointed that people think this is an acceptable establishment to bring to our area and our children and forget that history is dying and we are letting it.

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Savetheorgan says...
1:54pm Tue 28 Aug 12

Hi

Not many people seemed worried when the pub (Organ and Dragon, not Jim Thompson as the petition says) was going to be knocked down, and turned in social housing The council have earmarked 40% of the development for social housing, which may have caused more problems than a KFC.

Personally I am pleased that the building isn't going to be knocked down, and KFC are preserving the exterior.

Hopefully, then one day it can be returned to a pub, although I suspect the next step after KFC will be social housing.

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DAVD729 says...
5:16pm Wed 29 Aug 12

Having read the comments here I have to say its the usual story.Residents object on grounds which for the most part hold little foundation.I find it intresting that objections such as smell are a major issue - after all it was a restaurant previously! To say that Fast food restaurants are infested with cockcroaches and rats undermines the good work that the Food Standards Agency do and whilst not all outlets reach the required standard most large businesses (McDonalds,KFC etc) score very highly - this is not my opinion but from fact published on the Food Standards Agency website.
Many pubs have now been converted to these type of outlets and as such most I have seen are well executed and have no detrimental visible or social effect on the local area.Whilst I expect the comment you are not a resident of Ewell I have indeed lived in a property close to a Petrol Station that was converted to McDonalds.Litter was not a major issue ( the company has very good litter patrols) and it certainly is not a magnet for the boy racer/moronic drunk that is associated with this type of outlet.Maybe if the outlet in question was a new branch of The Ivy then the opposition would subside faster than a house on quicksand?

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markymarksurrey says...
8:34pm Wed 29 Aug 12

Better a KFC than a Tesco

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Savetheorgan says...
7:59am Thu 30 Aug 12

Hi

In my opinion, the main problem is the traffic it will bring. This is a very busy junction (With frequent accidents), and the turning into KFC will be a matter of feet away. Traffic leaving wanting to turn right will need get over traffic coming round a pretty blind corner and then pull into two lanes of traffic. (whilst dodging the BP traffic trying to do the opposite)

Yes, this was a problem when the pub was open, however the pub traffic was only a small fraction of the anticpated KFC traffic.

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olipop1 says...
1:34pm Thu 30 Aug 12

This is so not right what is going on with Epsom and Ewell lately? It is turning in to a right dive. Thought I was paying a higher rate of council tax to live in a decent area. Epsom council are awful at listening to residents so doubt they will listen to anyone wanting to block it.

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Historic pub to be converted into a KFC (From Epsom Guardian)

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Historic Ewell pub to be converted into a KFC

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