Heavy Fine for Oxford Road Business for Unauthorised Extension

An Oxford Road supermarket has been heavily fined by the courts after repeatedly ignoring Council advice to remove an unauthorised extension built in front of the shop.

As far back as 2021, Grosik Supermarket had been warned by Reading Council planning enforcement officers that it needed to remove the unauthorised extension at 324-326 Oxford Road. The front extension was erected without the necessary planning permission and subsequent enforcement notices were served by the Council in both 2023 and 2024. These were similarly ignored by the business.

The Council was left with no option but to pursue the case through the courts, resulting in a hearing at Reading Magistrates Court on Friday 1 August.

Grosik Reading Limited pleaded guilty at the hearing. Magistrates stated that they considered the behaviour of Grosik to be particularly poor, having built something and then dragged its feet for years. They took as an aggravating factor that the structure was harmful to the street scene on the Oxford Road, setting set a bad example to other shops. They also took the view the company had benefitted financially through the unauthorised structure.

Magistrates fined the company £16,666.  It was also ordered to pay £2,000 in victim surcharge and prosecution costs of £1,605, bringing the total owed to the court to £20,271.

Micky Leng, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Councillor for Planning, said:

“It’s a shame that, despite several warnings from planning officers, this local business chose to repeatedly ignore the Council and refused to dismantle what was an unauthorised structure which required planning permission. They will now have to pay a hefty price for that in the form of a substantial fine handed down by Reading Magistrates.

“Planning officers have an important role in helping to protect the local street scene. The Council does not want to see any local business fined or taken to court which is why when planning enforcement officers provide them with the opportunity to take action, they should respond promptly.  Refusing to reply to letters or comply with notices will almost certainly have long-term consequences, which was the case in this instance.

“We would always advise any business if they are in any doubt about what may require planning permission to make contact with the Council in advance of any works taking place, or it could prove costly in the long term.”