At the Biggleswade Town Council
Meeting of 28th January 2014, Mary Davidson of WYG Planning &
Design provided information on progress.
The building work should begin on
site next month. The contractors have been on site tidying up in preparation.
Tenants so far:
Unit A – Next
Unit B – H&M
Unit C – M&S
Unit D – Matalan
Unit E - It now looks as though the Arcadia Group will
be taking this unit.
Unit H – TK Maxx
On the other side of the London
Road, Units 1 & 2 will now be occupied by Bensons & Halfords.
Homebase & Argos are part of Home
Retail Group. Argos have not said what they want, Homebase have said that they
do not want an Argos store on this site. Homebase have been offered a new unit.
Brantano have not committed yet
but it is hoped they will stay.
No mention made of Laura Ashley or Pets at Home
Boots have shown an interest, this would be in
addition to their existing store in the Town Centre and they would want the
ability to operate a Pharmacy. It would be up to the Health Service regarding
issuing a licence for a pharmacy.
Proposed site layout:
I can't help feeling that Units 1 & 2 are taking a prime location that would have been better utilised by a relocated combined Fire and Ambulance station. This would remove the current problem of emergency vehicles located in a congested Biggleswade Town Centre - away from traffic, parked cars and restricted width roads, with direct access onto the A1 and the new road to the Kings Reach Estate, as well as London Road into town.
ReplyDeleteThe sale of the current town centre sites would go a long way toward the cost of the relocation.
Maybe a lost opportunity
I don't think it would be a good idea as Ambulances and Fire Engines would be unable to get out of such a busy place - there are always big queues
ReplyDeleteDo you know how I would go about applying for a job in the new retail park?
ReplyDelete