John Lewis says Kingston store is ‘very important’ to chain
Retailer John Lewis has said its Kingston store is ‘very important’ after the council unveiled plans for a town centre revamp that would see it bulldozed. The chain says it has a ‘very long lease’ on the Wood Street store. The firm has spoken out after Kingston Council unveiled a proposal to turn the site into a new development.
The area would have homes, shops and offices. The Wood Street plot has been earmarked for a revamp as part of the authority’s new local plan, which will shape development in the area for the next 20 years. The town centre was named as a “key focus” for planners, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Read more: Pret set to open as chain takes over former Barclays site The plan has been in the pipeline since 2019. It has now gone out for consultation, with families invited to have their say until February 28, 2023.
The document names John Lewis as one of the town centre’s “anchor retail stores” which attract lots of shoppers – along with Bentalls on Wood Street and Marks & Spencer on Clarence Street. It says the authority will be “encouraging investment and providing spaces that support diversification of the offer of Kingston town centre, including the night-time economy”. The plan reveals the John Lewis site “is to be allocated for a residential-led mix use development, including for residential, commercial and business uses” in the long-term – from 11 to more than 20 years after the strategy is implemented.
More details are yet to be revealed. A John Lewis Partnership spokesperson said: “Kingston is a very important store both to us and our customers, who love shopping there. We have a very long lease, which gives us long term control over its use and we do not have any plans to close or redevelop the branch.
“The local plan announced by the council is purely speculative, suggesting potential development opportunities across numerous locations over the long term, and in no way implies any proposed changes on our part.” While leader of Kingston Council, Andreas Kirsch (Lib Dem) added: “Kingston Liberal Democrats deeply value John Lewis and will continue to help it thrive. As a council owned asset I can commit today that we will always protect John Lewis, with deep and consistent support for this vital feature of our community.”
Two Bentalls’ car parks are also named as development sites within one to 10 years of the plan – including 194 new homes in blocks up to 11 storeys tall, shops and offices. The Malthouse and River Reach site on the high street is earmarked for a revamp with 58 homes in buildings up to six storeys tall, more shops and offices. Two new leisure centres feature in the plan – the controversial replacement of the beloved Kingfisher, already approved in May this year, and a new facility to replace the Malden Centre on Blagdon Road.
The council will consider feedback given during the consultation to finalise the local plan for adoption by late 2023. It will replace the authority’s core strategy and last until 2041. The plan will be used to decide whether to approve or refuse planning applications in the borough.
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