• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Chandler's Ford Today

  • Home
  • About
    • About Chandler’s Ford
    • Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research
  • Blog
    • Blogging Tips
  • Event
    • Upcoming Events
  • Community
    • Groups
    • Churches
    • Schools
    • GP Surgeries
    • Leisure
    • Library
    • Charities
    • Eastleigh Basics Bank
    • Community Food Larder at Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church
  • Contact
    • Subscribe
  • Site Policies
You are here: Home / Community / Where Is The Centre Of Chandler’s Ford?

Where Is The Centre Of Chandler’s Ford?

August 19, 2014 By Janet Williams 37 Comments

After months of delay, the Fryern Arcade post office in Chandler’s Ford will be moving across to the other side: 6-7 Fryern Arcade, and open at 1pm on 29th August.

Today I spoke to one builder who renovated the new site. I walked in to see the layout of the new shop.

The new shop will have a prominent space for tobacco. There will also be a bureau de change kiosk.

Fryern Arcade post office new notice: moving at the end of August.
Fryern Arcade post office new notice: moving at the end of August.

Fryern Arcade post office to open 7 days

You may have heard that WH Smith will open its outlet here in the post office. The Fryern Arcade Post Office will also open 7 days a week.

Costa Coffee, which opens on 3rd May 2014, also opens 7 days a week.

Mark, the builder who renovated the new post office, showed me the new site today. Mark is from Bristol and he told me the shopfitting contract is with The Jordan Group.

Here is a slideshow about the layout of the new post office at the Fryern Arcade.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Fast development of Chandler’s Ford

Chandler’s Ford is fast developing. A few years ago, the Fryern Arcade was quiet on Sunday. Now on Winchester Road, Waitrose, Costa Coffee, and the new post office are opening 7 days a week, the atmosphere in our community has certainly changed.

The fast development with new businesses also reflects the change of our lifestyle. Many of us seem to need to shop on Sunday. The roundabout at Winchester Road and Oakmount Road has become busy even on Sunday.

The Central Precinct of Chandler's Ford
The Central Precinct of Chandler’s Ford

Where is the centre of Chandler’s Ford?

Where is the centre of Chandler’s Ford? Do we have a centre here?

Recently a few friends and I were trying to pinpoint the Chandler’s Ford centre.  We were unable to agree on one.

Is Fryern Arcade, with The Mall Shopping Centre, including Chandler’s Ford Library, naturally the centre of Chandler’s Ford, as the area now seems getting more prosperous?

What about Hiltingbury Road? There are lovely shops on Hiltingbury Road with independent community shop such as Bay Leaves Larder, and the Hiltingbury Community Centre is dedicated in promoting cultural and social events in the community.

Perhaps Hursley Road is the centre? Hursley Road is known for the Chandler’s Ford Community Association, where I voted at the polling station, and watched many brilliant productions by the Chameleons, and the parish church – St. Boniface Church, where I help sell Traidcraft products twice a month, and where Chandler’s Ford War Memorial is located just outside of the church.

Someone also suggested Chandler’s Ford Industrial Estate or the Central Precinct as the centre of Chandler’s Ford.

Give Blood - at St. Boniface Church on Hursley Road.
St. Boniface Church on Hursley Road – also a blood donation centre.

What is your view? Do you think we have a definite centre of Chandler’s Ford? If you were to choose the Centre of Chandler’s Ford, what would you choose?

Note: You’ll also find interesting discussion about Where Is The Centre Of Chandler’s Ford in this thread on Streetlife, our local social media site.

Related posts on the Fryern Arcade, Chandler’s Ford:

  • Asante Family Remains Optimistic Despite Chandler’s Ford Shop Closure
  • Asante Chandler’s Ford Coffee Shop Closure
  • Fryern Arcade: Butchers And Post Office
  • Fryern Arcade WH Smith Local & Post Office Open – Chandler’s Ford Today
  • Fryern Arcade Post Office: Open 7 Days A Week?
  • What Had Happened To The Fryern Arcade Public Toilets?
  • Fryern Arcade D & G Hardware Store
  • Fryern Arcade Old And New
  • Fryern Arcade’s Fresh Look: MIBI, D & G
  • Fryern Arcade In Chandler’s Ford: Major Changes Are Coming
  • Buying Christmas Trees At Fryern Arcade
  • “We’re Sorry To Be Leaving Fryern…But…”
  • Where Is The Centre Of Chandler’s Ford?
  • How I love Your Comments
  • Coffee And Free WiFi In Chandler’s Ford
  • In Love With Chandler’s Ford Coffee Shops
  • D & G Hardware: From Canberra To Chandler’s Ford
  • Nostalgia: My Stamp Collection
  • The Big Issue In Chandler’s Ford
  • The Myth Of Thomas The Tank Engine
  • Who Are The Heavenly Knitters in Chandler’s Ford?
  • Table Hogging
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email

Related posts:

Coffee And Free WiFi in Chandler’s Ford Is Chandler’s Ford Central Precinct International? Three Things I Love about Chandler’s Ford Chandler’s Ford Guide Book Entry New and Old Businesses in Chandler’s Ford
Tags: Central Precinct, Chandler's Ford, community, Fryern Arcade, Hiltingbury, Hursley Road, local businesses, local interest, School Lane, Streetlife, Winchester Road

About Janet Williams

I created Chandler's Ford Today. I use this website to share our passions and inspiring stories, to build a connected community. We inform, educate and enlighten. We share resources.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mike Sedgwick says

    August 20, 2014 at 3:39 pm

    If you are self-centred then the centre is where you are. Where are you? The highest concentration of people is at or near Fryern Arcade. You might argue that there are more people at the Industrial Estate or at Thornden School but they are regimented there by economic or educational forces whereas attendance at Fryern is more voluntary.
    We are fortunate in Chandler’s Ford to have not one but several distributed centres where we can shop, socialise and access services like buses, schools, surgeries etc such that all of Janet’s suggestions can be regarded as centres. One could add Asda and Valley Park.
    Whenever in a large town or city, I feel better if there is a quiet and tranquil place near the centre; a park, garden, riverbank, churchyard, playing field or, in our case, lakes.

    Reply
    • Janet Williams says

      August 20, 2014 at 4:25 pm

      I learn to ‘walk’ after living in Chandler’s Ford. In my previous life in the tropical country, walking wasn’t considered as leisure or pleasure.

      I’m astonished by the woodlands in Chandler’s Ford. My son wrote No Teddy Bear’s Picnic: Walking In The Woods a few years ago, and we also explore Hocombe Mead Walk sometimes. Indeed we are lucky.

      I also love the peaceful paths near me. This is my favourite route to work. So serene.
      Chandler's Ford quiet path to Hursley Road .

      Reply
  2. Ruby says

    August 20, 2014 at 6:19 pm

    A few months ago I was asked for directions as I walked past the town hall in my own small town. “Excuse me, is this the town centre?” I was asked. “Well yes” I replied. I think they were expecting something a bit more significant for a town centre than a pub, a Co-op and a bakery (closed)!

    I would think that the area around the Winchester Road / Hursley Road junction is the centre of Chandler’s Ford. It may no longer be the geometric centre, but is where Chandler’s Ford is marked on old maps, and appears to be where the community originally grew. It’s a road junction (even back to the days when those were the only roads), and is close to the church and railway station.

    Chandler's Ford Centre Roundabout Hursley Road

    Reply
    • Janet Williams says

      August 20, 2014 at 7:52 pm

      Ruby,

      When the HSBC robbery happened in 2007, in the news, Chandler’s Ford was described as a ‘sleepy’ suburb. Then in 2011, the same HSBC at the Central Precinct was robbed again. I could only remember these were the only times Chandler’s Ford was on national news. The robbers would have thought they could get away easily due to easy access to the main roads and the motorway.

      Would people trying to buy property in Chandler’s Ford still think it a ‘sleepy’ place?

      Reply
  3. Stuart Allen says

    August 29, 2014 at 5:56 pm

    Janet,

    I think you could do a really good article about how the centre has moved around over the decades. Even earlier than it being Hursley Road / Winchester road junction you could say it was Southampton Road / Hursley road now known as Bournemouth road / Station Lane junction.

    The school was on the Selwood’s plot. There were houses down School Lane where the cement works is now. The corner where the advertising boards are now had a shop and builders’ merchant. Post office was near the Hut pub. Even the Hendy’s site and Northdene / Southdene Road area is called Chandler’s Ford Hill. And the horse race course was down near the train station.

    Reply
    • Janet Williams says

      August 29, 2014 at 6:00 pm

      Thank you Stuart for your input.

      You clearly know a lot more than me about the history of Chandler’s Ford. As a newcomer of 14 years to Chandler’s Ford, I’m fascinated by all the changes, and the progress and decay of different areas in Chandler’s Ford.

      I look forward to your continuous contributions about Chandler’s Ford. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
      • ruby says

        November 22, 2014 at 4:22 pm

        According to a sign at waitrose, Fryern is the “Town [sic] Centre” – only three minutes walk away

        Reply
        • Janet Williams says

          November 22, 2014 at 8:39 pm

          Hi Ruby,

          Two months ago, I took this picture just outside Waitrose in Chandler’s Ford. The shop has a few signs indicating ‘Town Centre’. I don’t know how long these signs have been used, and how Waitrose determines that Chandler’s Ford is a ‘town’.

          Waitrose Chandler's Ford sign

          Reply
          • Janet Williams says

            November 22, 2014 at 9:05 pm

            David B recently asked this question about the status of Hiltingbury on Streetlife:

            “Is Hiltingbury a village? It is according to this mornings Daily Echo. I thought it was an area of Chandler’s Ford which is part of Eastleigh. Perhaps being a village means higher property values. ”

            The topic has generated a great discussion amongst the local people. What is your view of the discussion?

            Hiltingbury village

          • ruby says

            November 23, 2014 at 4:35 pm

            Yes, that’s the sign I saw. I was going to take a photo but only had my mobile phone and the camera quality isn’t great.

            I think that historically to be a town, a place had to have a charter to hold a market. Hence, in the north of the county, despite being similar-size places, Whitchurch is a town but neighbouring Overton only a village. Perversely, Overton seems to have more shops!

  4. Elaine says

    October 28, 2015 at 10:59 pm

    I moved to Chandlers Ford in 1987.
    At that time we had Chandlers Ford Precinct, Fryern Arcade and shops and a pub off Knightwood rd for Valley Park.
    There is no ‘centre’ to Chandlers Ford as nothing much has changed in that time except that Waitrose arrived a few years ago and the supermarket that was Safeway in Fryern Precinct changed a few times and is now the Co-op.
    My question is: why do we need to find a centre in Chandlers Ford? Also, there are very different areas to my mind, eg Hiltingbury and Valley Park. One is ‘old’ CF and one new. (I don’t live in either).
    I always think of CF as a ‘passing thru’ town on the way to somewhere else and not a destination in itself.
    I feel it is a transit area between Southampton and Winchester – most people outside Hants don’t know of it and I usually describe it between the two. Hope this helps.

    Reply
    • Allison Symes says

      October 29, 2015 at 12:39 am

      Difficult one to argue as CF is a commuter town. Also we don’t have an obvious attraction people come to see. People either live here (and it is a great place to live) or do indeed pass through it as they commute! CF is a destination for those who live here or have family/friends here. Having said all that, the fact we are a green place (Hocombe Mead, Hook Woods etc) is a major point in our favour but how many outside of CF know about that?

      Reply
  5. Mike Sedgwick says

    October 29, 2015 at 1:36 am

    CF may not be the best place for someone to ‘go to’ but it is one of the best paces there is to ‘go from’ because of its travel connections.
    Travellers who arrive at a place need a centre; those who live in a place know where things are and do not need a centre.
    CF is a good pace to live. You cannot argue with that.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. What Had Happened To The Fryern Arcade Public Toilets? - Chandler's Ford Today says:
    August 24, 2014 at 9:06 pm

    […] Where is the centre of Chandler’s Ford? […]

    Reply
  2. Fryern Arcade WH Smith Local & Post Office Open - Chandler's Ford Today says:
    August 29, 2014 at 11:30 pm

    […] my previous post I mentioned that the new post office will have a prominent space for tobacco. However Val Athwal told me that their new shop is not selling cigerettes as he is not sure if […]

    Reply
  3. New Grover Butchers At Fryern Arcade - Chandler's Ford Today says:
    September 19, 2014 at 11:53 pm

    […] Residents of Chandler’s Ford certainly welcome Tony’s old-style butchers’ shop at the centre of Chandler’s Ford. […]

    Reply
  4. Chandler's Ford Changes, Planning, Houses says:
    September 24, 2014 at 5:14 pm

    […] Ford is changing. Recent changes are in its centre, wherever that is, its public buildings, new community halls, library, parks, shops and […]

    Reply
  5. Is Chandler's Ford Central Precinct International? - Chandler's Ford Today says:
    October 9, 2014 at 8:03 am

    […] Central Precinct Of Chandler’s Ford Everything Flowers (Love Flowers) From The Central Precinct Where Is The Centre Of Chandler’s Ford? From Old To New: Furniture Upholstery And Restoration In Chandler’s Ford The Best Kept Secret In […]

    Reply
  6. Asante Chandler's Ford Coffee Shop Closure - Chandler's Ford Today says:
    October 10, 2014 at 8:21 pm

    […] Where Is The Centre Of Chandler’s Ford? […]

    Reply
  7. Coffee Shops in Chandler's Ford says:
    October 10, 2014 at 9:54 pm

    […] Where Is The Centre Of Chandler’s Ford? […]

    Reply
  8. Chandler's Ford Snooker Club and Central Precinct - Chandler's Ford Today says:
    October 16, 2014 at 10:35 pm

    […] Where Is The Centre Of Chandler’s Ford? […]

    Reply
  9. Example of French Baguette Connection To Inspire You - Chandler's Ford Today says:
    October 18, 2014 at 10:25 am

    […] Where Is The Centre Of Chandler’s Ford? […]

    Reply
  10. Mulled Wine & Mince Pies At Central Precinct: Chandler's Ford Today says:
    December 5, 2014 at 12:31 am

    […] Where Is The Centre Of Chandler’s Ford? […]

    Reply
  11. Spectacular Selwood Christmas Tree - Chandler's Ford Today says:
    December 10, 2014 at 7:44 pm

    […] August this year, we discussed where the centre of Chandler’s Ford was. Some voted for Fryern Arcade, but some argued for the original centre, the Central […]

    Reply
  12. Top 15 Chandler's Ford Today Blog Posts of 2014 says:
    December 29, 2014 at 3:36 am

    […] Where Is The Centre Of Chandler’s Ford?: Is Chandler’s Ford a connected community? Where is the centre? Where is our […]

    Reply
  13. K'Sue Raa Coffee Bar at Central Precinct: Chandler's Ford Today says:
    December 30, 2014 at 4:44 pm

    […] Where Is The Centre Of Chandler’s Ford? […]

    Reply
  14. Ruby made it to Private Eye's Pedantry Corner - Chandler's Ford Today says:
    January 24, 2015 at 1:38 pm

    […] On the centre of Chandler’s Ford […]

    Reply
  15. How Methodist Church Dovetail Centre Surprises Me - Chandler's Ford Today says:
    January 29, 2015 at 5:08 pm

    […] Where Is The Centre Of Chandler’s Ford? […]

    Reply
  16. Coffee Shops & Free WiFi In Chandler's Ford - Chandler's Ford Today says:
    January 29, 2015 at 5:46 pm

    […] Where Is The Centre Of Chandler’s Ford? […]

    Reply
  17. Fryern Arcade: Butchers And Post Office - Chandler's Ford Today says:
    February 6, 2015 at 8:09 pm

    […] Where Is The Centre Of Chandler’s Ford? […]

    Reply
  18. Fryern Arcade In Chandler's Ford: Major Changes Are Coming - Chandler's Ford Today says:
    February 6, 2015 at 8:10 pm

    […] Where Is The Centre Of Chandler’s Ford? […]

    Reply
  19. The Good And The Bad Of Fryern Arcade Chandler's Ford - Mike Sedgwick says:
    March 12, 2015 at 8:31 pm

    […] location is perfect. It has become, by default, the Centre Of Chandler’s Ford. It is at a road junction and is supported by two supermarkets, a library, doctors surgery and […]

    Reply
  20. What's Happened To Gibson's Card Gallery At The Mall? - Chandler's Ford Today says:
    April 10, 2015 at 7:02 pm

    […] Where Is The Centre Of Chandler’s Ford? […]

    Reply
  21. Exciting April Events In Chandler's Ford - Chandler's Ford Today says:
    April 18, 2015 at 1:37 pm

    […] year, we had an engaging discussion about the centre of Chandler’s Ford. Do we really have a […]

    Reply
  22. Do you remember the Precinct Gift Centre in Chandler's Ford? says:
    May 4, 2015 at 3:31 pm

    […] Where Is The Centre Of Chandler’s Ford? […]

    Reply
  23. 1 hour? 3 hours? Parking Rules at Co-operative Food and Fryern Arcade in Chandler's Ford - Chandler's Ford Today says:
    April 29, 2017 at 5:14 pm

    […] Make sure you know where to park, and how to park, when you are in the Centre of Chandler’s Ford. […]

    Reply
  24. Relish Canteen at Chandler's Ford Central Precinct - Chandler's Ford Today says:
    May 10, 2017 at 7:25 pm

    […] Where is The Centre of Chandler’s Ford? […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Search

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to Chandler's Ford Today blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Archives

Top Posts & Pages

Why Write Fiction

Categories

Tags

am writing arts and crafts books Chandler's Ford Chandler's Ford Today Chandler’s Ford community charity Christianity Christmas church community creative writing culture Eastleigh Eastleigh Borough Council education entertainment event family fundraising gardening gardening tips good neighbours Hiltingbury Hiltingbury Road history hobby how-to Joan Adamson Joan Adelaide Goater local businesses local interest memory Methodist Church music nature news reading review social storytelling theatre travel Winchester Road writing

Recent Comments

  • C. Klingler on Gladly, the Cross-eyed Bear and Other Mondegreens
  • Robbie Sprague on VE Day – Thursday 8th May 1945
  • Mike Sedgwick on VE Day – Thursday 8th May 1945
  • Chippy on VE Day – Thursday 8th May 1945
  • Allison Symes on Review – The Chameleons – Sudden Death at Thornbury Manor
  • Janet Williams on Review – The Chameleons – Sudden Death at Thornbury Manor

Regular Writers and Contributors

Janet Williams Allison Symes Mike Sedgwick Rick Goater Doug Clews chippy minton Martin Napier Roger White Andy Vining Gopi Chandroth Nicola Slade Wellie Roger Clark Ray Fishman Hazel Bateman SO53 News

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal by Joan Adelaide Goater

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal by Joan Adelaide Goater

Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s by Martin Napier

Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s by Martin Napier

My Memories of the War Years in Chandler’s Ford 1939 – 1945 by Doug Clews

My Memories of the War Years in Chandler’s Ford 1939 – 1945 by Doug Clews

Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research by Margaret Doores

Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research by Margaret Doores

History of Hiltonbury Farmhouse by Andy Vining

History of Hiltonbury Farmhouse by Andy Vining

My Family History in Chandler’s Ford and Hursley by Roger White

My Family History in Chandler’s Ford and Hursley by Roger White

Do You Remember The Hutments? By Nick John

Do You Remember The Hutments? By Nick John

Memory of Peter Green by Wendy Green

Memory of Peter Green by Wendy Green

History of Vickers Armstrongs (Supermarine) Hursley Park by Dave Key

History of Vickers Armstrongs (Supermarine) Hursley Park by Dave Key

Reviews of local performances and places

Reviews of local performances and places

Copyright © 2025 Chandler's Ford Today. WordPress. Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.