Re: Big D already closed?
 

thats what it used to be,i think about 45 yrs ago.be funny if it became one again.:)

Re: Big D already closed?
 

Wow i never knew (im only 19so its a bit before my time lol). Think i should become an estate agent.

Re: Big D already closed?
 

I didn't know that either, was it 3 tier then or did Asda build the ramp and the upper floor?

Re: Big D already closed?
 

As a slight aside the place underneath the bingo hall which I think is now a car mechanics place used to be a warehouse for the CO-OP that was in the centre of town. All the electrical goods were kept there. Certainly multi-use buildings in that part of town :)

Re: Big D already closed?
 

it would be a good place for a car dealership but the area is not conventiant

dont know what it should be maybe a jjb or jd out of store retail park thing.

Re: Big D already closed?
 

When that building (which burnt down) changed from selling cars to be the 1st ASDA, I was a new housewife and shopped there. That ramp from the kiosk foyer area up to the supermarket shelved area was designed for cars and it took some skill to stop a fully trolley from taking off at speed on its own.
The racks of shelving were placed very close together and if 2 people stopped to select items opposite each other there was a traffic jam of people behind them. Shopping there was a nightmare but because it was the cheapest in town, everybody did.
The name ASDA was originally Associated Dairies - a farmers co-operative.

PS the bingo hall was a coop furniture saleroom

Re: Big D already closed?
 

That would explain why the Co-op retained the basement when it was converted then. I often wondered why they used it :)

Re: Big D already closed?
 

The Oxford St side of the building has the Coop lettering in stone up near the roof - was built by and for them.