Store split set to get go-ahead
PLANS to split up H&M in Stockport into three smaller shops - which would also be allowed to sell food - look set to be given the go-ahead.
The popular fashion retailer is based at the Peel Centre, on the fringe of the town centre, also home to high street favourites like Boots and Argos.
Bosses at the clothing firm have previously committed to staying in Stockport and maintaining the brand’s presence in the town.
But, with its lease coming up for renewal, landlord Peel wants to divide up the 1672 sq.m. store so it has more ‘flexibility’ should H&M move from the Great Portwood Street retail park.
The council has recommended its planning committee approves the proposals - including ‘unrestricted permission’ to sell food - when it meets on Thursday night.
The town hall bought the more centrally located
Merseyway Shopping Centre four years ago in a bid to ‘arrest decline in the town centre’ and underpin its regeneration plans for the area.
Any proposals that threaten to compete with Merseyway - potentially luring away prospective occupiers and leaving shops empty - are a serious concern to the council.
And while town centre units are generally of a smaller size to those at the Peel Centre - resulting in ‘slightly different’ tenants being attracted to each site - Peel’s plans could result in ‘direct competition’ between the two.
Shops at Merseway are, on average, around 310 sq.m. but the plans for the Peel Centre could create a unit of this size - between 279 sq.m. and 465 sq.m.
The other the other two units would split the balance, although be no smaller than 465 sq.m.
But a council officer’s report to the planning committee says the application is ‘unlikely to harm the town centre or Merseyway’ provided it is a one off, ‘on a single basis’.
It states: “In this individual case, at this point in time, the subdivision as sought by the applicant is unlikely to harm the town centre, or Merseyway due to the slightly different nature of tenants that would be attracted to the retail park as opposed to the core town centre. to reiterate, as an individual unique occurrence.”
Stockport also has plans to create much more housing in the town centre - a 3,000 home ‘urban village’ being key to its regeneration programme.
The report says it is worth noting that this is ‘likely to generate greater demand for retail development including food’.
It reads: “Location wise the retail park is likely to be reasonably well placed in terms of reducing the need to travel for new and existing residents living in and around Stockport town centre, as well as being accessible to bus services and provision of existing car parking spaces for those travelling in from further afield, including those making linked trips.”
In conclusion it adds: “It is considered that the smaller units would not have a significant detrimental impact on the main town centre and as such should be supported.”
H&M said it was currently in a negotiation period with the Peel and had nothing further to add at present.
Stockport council’s planning and highways committee will decide the matter at a remote meeting to be held on Thursday at 6pm.