Supermarket scrapped Waitrose backs out of £14 million store plan
Work on Waitrose at Eclipse Park was due to begin at the start of summer.
While no structural work took place, ground work is under way and Gallagher Properties is in discussions with KCC Highways and Highways England over erecting a retaining wall along the M20, plus Southern Water regarding re-routing supplies.
Wooden posts are also being put up in an effort to stop any future traveller incursions.
Nick Yandle confirmed this preparatory work will continue as it would need to be done regardless.
Despite Waitrose backing out Mr Yandle remained optimistic, saying there were a number of companies who had expressed interest in the plot and Gallagher is working towards an opening date of the middle of 2019.
He added: “Discussions with the other parties are current, so we will hopefully soon be able to give more detail. It will be good for everyone if we can move on to something more certain as we all want to see something being delivered on the ground.” Plans to build the biggest Waitrose in Kent at Maidstone’s Eclipse Park have been scrapped.
The high-end supermarket chain was due to join the likes of Next and Hilton at the business park near Junction 7 of the M20 and was scheduled to open in spring next year.
However, the company has decided not go ahead with the £14m scheme and instead concentrate on building up business at existing stores.
The supermarket was due to occupy the site of the former 550- space Sittingbourne Road Park and Ride, which closed in February 2016. Planning permission for the one-storey supermarket and 300-bay car park was granted in November.
It would have created more than 200 jobs at the site, owned by Gallagher Properties.
It is believed the decision was made after Waitrose decided to change its business strategy in response to tougher market conditions.
In an interview with Property Week earlier this month Nigel