Once upon a time there was a pleasant pub called the Apollo situated on the corner of Pinner Road and the Gardens.
One day, nearly two years ago, local residents found out that this pub had been bought for 'redevelopment'and the pub was quickly closed.
Since then it has remained empty and an ever increasing eyesore. With the help of the local MP, Gareth Thomas, the local ward (Headstone South) councillors found out that the buyer was in fact Britain's biggest supermarket chain Tesco.
Tesco is renowned for buying up sites and then not developing them. The ward council has checked and so far Tesco has not been in contact with the planning department.
Following pressure from local councillors and the local MP it would seem that Tesco may at last be deciding what to do with the site.
This inordinate delay and dilly dallying is totally unacceptable. On behalf of local residents the Headstone South councillors I call on Tesco either to develop the site as a Tesco Express as it has promised, or reinstate the pleasant pub as it used to be.What no one wants is yet another block of flats.
Tesco might consider that there is tailor-made site in the North Harrow Shopping Centre just waiting for a supermarket to occupy it.
BILL STEPHENSON
Leader Labour group Harrow Council
