Upmarket supermarket chain Waitrose is interested in building a new food store in the Locks Heath Shopping Centre.
Locks Heath Shopping Village
Waitrose, which is part of John Lewis, has declared its interest by commenting on the proposals to redevelop land around the centre, including building a five-lane swimming pool and fitness centre.
The details of the responses to the consultation held late last year into the future development of the Locks Heath Centre is due to be discussed at a Fareham Council executive meeting tonight (April 15).
But Council Leader Cllr Sean Woodward confirmed that Waitrose was interested enough in the site to make a comment during the consultation.
The Co-operative is currently the only supermarket in Locks Heath and has about two-thirds left of a 99-year lease at the centre. Councillor Woodward said a number of major food retailers had shown interest, including Waitrose which had commented as part of the consultation process.
“So far as Waitrose is concerned, they’re one of the companies interested in coming,” he said. “They’re certainly interested I know that.
“I’m sure that if the Co-op didn’t up their game then there are a lot of people in the Western Wards who wouldn’t mind having Waitrose there. They’re obviously interested or else they wouldn’t have bothered to comment.”
However, any development on the site is thought to be at least two years away as a masterplan for the centre is developed as part of a wider Fareham Borough plan.
Cllr Woodward said it was unlikely there would be any development before 2015.
“Nobody is going to see any shops there for at least two years,” he said.
A report to tonight’s executive detailed comments made by residents and other companies interested in the redevelopment of the centre during the consultation. This included one proposal from a planning company to relocate the district centre to Segensworth.
The meeting is expected to provide a planning policy framework for the regeneration of the Locks Heath Centre.
It is likely that in the late spring or early summer the secretary of state will appoint an inspector to examine the plans in late autumn. The inspector will produce a report in early 2014, which could then be adopted by the council.