Primark makes move into Pavilions centre
National retailer set to open branch in refurbished site from June 2016
THE mystery ‘major national retailer’ poised to move into Uxbridge’s Pavilions shopping centre, following a major revamp next year, has been revealed as Primark.
A travel plan released this week, as part of the planning preparations for the redevelopment, indicated that 15 existing Pavilion shops will be consolidated into one giant unit to make way for the lynchpin store.
It will allow clothing giant Primark to occupy a 4,650sqm space over two-floors from June 2016 next year.
A spokesman for Primark said: “Uxbridge provides an ideal location for Primark as it meets our requirements for store locations and we believe a popular destination for our key demographics.”
Planning permission for a dramatic, wholesale overhaul of the Pavilions was granted last October.
The High Street shopping centre, which is home to around 90 stores, was built in 1971 as an open roof facility.
It was refurbished in the mid1980s when its open walkways were covered with glazed roofs.
The current plans represent the most significant development of the centre in 30 years.
Property firm LaSalle Investment Management bought the 32,568sqm Pavilions for £64.5m in 2013.
In documents lodged with Hillingdon Council, LaSalle refers to 15 units in the Chequers Square mall, some of which are empty, as not attracting enough shoppers – but the new store will, it says.
Hillingdon Council, which would not confirm or deny Primark’s intentions, said: “We welcome the employment and inward investment opportunity a large format store brings to the high street.
“On top of current local shoppers, thousands of additional customers could be visiting each week. Many will spend money with existing retailers, helping maintain Uxbridge’s position as a key shopping destination.”
A travel plan and other facets of the development were approved by the council’s head of planning last Thursday.
The plan by ADL Traffic Engineering outlines Primark Stores as its client and assesses the effects of the development on transport capacity.
It states: “The store is currently expected to be operational from June 2016. The travel plan will be implemented by Primark as soon as reasonably practical and, in any event, no later than two months following first occupation of the development.”