Supermarket scrapped
Keen, Waitrose’s property director, said: “We made a very positive decision not to build new stores and invest in our existing estate.
“That will start to play at the end of this year and into next year when consumers see the investment we made and respond accordingly.”
Ian Chittenden, Lib Dem Kent county councillor for Maidstone north east ward, said: “The cancellation of Waitrose is a great pity. The proposal to build it on Eclipse Park led to the closure of the Sittingbourne Park and Ride site.
“The majority of larger applications locally normally raise many objections over concerns relating to traffic, congestion and air quality.
“However, this one was extremely popular and well-supported by local councillors and especially by residents, who will be very disappointed.”
The Waitrose at Castle Road, Allington – which is half the size of the Eclipse Park proposal – is in no danger of closure, he added, as it has 20 years remaining on its lease.
Nick Yandle, chief executive at the Aylesford- based Gallagher Group, said the company received notification of the change several weeks ago. He said: “We can see the retail sector is changing very fast and different companies are dealing with it in different ways.
“It is not the biggest surprise for us and we have had four different inquiries from different retail companies in the last month about the site.”
Waitrose had not signed an agreement for the site, but had supported the developer with the intention of delivering a store in the future.
A spokesman added: “Waitrose recently reviewed all development opportunities and it is with disappointment we are unable to proceed with the site at Eclipse Park.”