COUNTY NEWS: Supermarket plans stalled for West Sussex town

Following a successful move and launch of their store in Horsham, Waitrose’s plans for a new supermarket in Midhurst have stalled after the company pulled out of its original deal to build in the Grange car park.
Artists impression of the planned Waitrose store next to the Grange centre in MidhurstArtists impression of the planned Waitrose store next to the Grange centre in Midhurst
Artists impression of the planned Waitrose store next to the Grange centre in Midhurst

Waitrose says due to ‘trading conditions’ in the supermarket sector it has had to work with its partner Kimberley Developments on a ‘revised offer’ to owners of the land Chichester District Council (CDC).

In January CDC gave Waitrose and Kimberley Developments ‘first refusal’ in a deal which was set to see an 18,000 square foot store opened in the autumn of 2016.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But now they have gone back to the drawing board and it could pave the way for a supermarket war with a second developer coming back into the frame with another ‘major supermarket’ for the site.

A Waitrose spokesman said: “Our aspiration to deliver a quality food store for Midhurst, which will provide the very latest Waitrose offer as well as creating new jobs, remains.

“However, the supermarket sector is undergoing well documented changes in trading conditions and it has been necessary for developer, Kimberley, to submit a revised offer. We understand the continued delay may cause some disappointment, but we must respond to these changes to ensure the scheme has a commercial future which will enable us to make a positive contribution to the town.”

The supermarket sector is undergoing well documented changes in trading conditions and it has been necessary for developer, Kimberley, to submit a revised offer

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

District councillor Gordon McAra told fellow town councillors CDC was now re-negotiating the sale of the land, but it was unlikely any new proposals would be the same scale as the original Waitrose. “The district council won’t get nearly as much money for the site as it might have got.”

A CDC spokesman said: “We are still in contract with Kimberley Developments, who have been working with Waitrose. Recent changes in the food store market have meant this agreement has not been as straight forward as hoped. We are still committed to selling the land to a developer who will bring forward plans for a food store in Midhurst.”

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.