Park Way shops, Just do do they want? Options

[Darren]

It appears that the DPP don't want House of Frazer there now.

http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/News/Article...articleID=15279

Here's a novel idea, try asking the shoppers if they want them there.

[Jayjay]

It appears that the DPP don't want House of Frazer there now.

http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/News/Article...articleID=15279

Here's a novel idea, try asking the shoppers if they want them there.

It seems nonsensical. House of Fraser has no connection with Newbury, so unsure how it can know or understand what Newbury wants or needs. A chain store protesting on behalf of independants seems at odds. I can only presume that HOF (nearest one Reading?) feels threatened, which seems to suggest that maybe, just maybe, Newbury is doing something right.

[blackdog]

It appears that the DPP don't want House of Frazer there now.

DPP is working on behalf of House of Fraser in putting forward their objections to the revamp to accommodate John Lewis.

The fascinating bit is why House of Fraser are getting involved.

[Darren]

I'm confused as to why as well.

HoF does have a homeware department with lovely items but it's hideously expensive.

[Exhausted]

Whatever the reason for the DPP objections, they have certainly done their homework. They have been commisioned by House of Fraser to act on their behalf and that would have been a fairly costly exercise. Maybe they, HoF, have some axe to grind with John Lewis or, possibly they are looking to Newbury for their own expansion or it may be that they are acting on behalf of one of our local retailers.

It does clearly mark the cards of Standard Life who probably thought that WBC would just nod it through. Any other developer wanting to increase their footage and cover over proposed public areas would come against a brick wall I'm sure. It will be interesting to see how it turns out. How critical to the development of the Newbury shopping experience is John Lewis. Do we want them at any cost.

[Darren]

The project needs these so-called anchor store. The spaces won't be filled by the Barry Forkins' or Badgers of the retail world. When the Kennet Centre opened it took years to fill them and even now the toy shop is now empty.

[Exhausted]

The project needs these so-called anchor store. The spaces won't be filled by the Barry Forkins' or Badgers of the retail world. When the Kennet Centre opened it took years to fill them and even now the toy shop is now empty.

you're right but do we want them at any price.

[Dodgys smarter b...]

The fascinating bit is why House of Fraser are getting involved.

Because, quite simply, House of Fraser have their own plans for Newbury.

[blackdog]

Because, quite simply, House of Fraser have their own plans for Newbury.

But what are their plans?

[user23]

But what are their plans?

It's a bit of a guess this, but I reckon they might be opening a shop that sells stuff.

[blackdog]

The project needs these so-called anchor store. The spaces won't be filled by the Barry Forkins' or Badgers of the retail world. When the Kennet Centre opened it took years to fill them and even now the toy shop is now empty.

If the project is so dependent on a second 'anchor' store why didn't they design them in to start with? Or do you think that they have been planning this expansion from the start and kept it hidden while the main planning application went through?

I would love to see a decent department store like John Lewis in Newbury, but not at the cost of this naff new design that takes up public space and car parking. If only they had used the £4 million to entice JL here rather than Debenhams.

[Richard Garvie]

I find it unbelievable that the Tories kicked off about the Lib Dems subsidising the Cinema by £100k a year, and now they spend £4m on moving an existing store to a new location in town.

[Iommi]

I find it unbelievable that the Tories kicked off about the Lib Dems subsidising the Cinema by £100k a year, and now they spend £4m on moving an existing store to a new location in town.

They didn't.

[JeffG]

They didn't.

They didn't which? (of the three possibilities )

[Darren]

I find it unbelievable that the Tories kicked off about the Lib Dems subsidising the Cinema by £100k a year, and now they spend £4m on moving an existing store to a new location in town.

What would a Labour council have done - after going going "Wow. **** just froze over "?

[Richard Garvie]

Well, I wouldn't have given the cinema £100k a year or £4m to Debenhams. Debenhams already trade in town, and part of my gripe with the council is that Parkway was given permission on the basis of bringing new stores to town (there was no mention of relocating existing stores).

For the record, the Lib Dems agreed to subsidise the cinema to the tune of £100k a year for five years. The Conservatives complained, and even Richard Benyon described it as a "gross misuse of public money", although when it opened he said it was a fantastic development for the town. Finally, search the Newbury Today site, and you will see that a mistake on the West Berks site showed the council had given Debenhams FOUR MILLION POUNDS!!!

I agree with Parkway being built, but I don't agree with the land being sold for £1 or the fact that they are poaching existing stores in town at a huge cost to taxpayers. I agree with the cinema, but I don't agree with the subsidy at a cost to taxpayers.

[On the edge]

Well, I wouldn't have given the cinema £100k a year or £4m to Debenhams. Debenhams already trade in town, and part of my gripe with the council is that Parkway was given permission on the basis of bringing new stores to town (there was no mention of relocating existing stores).

For the record, the Lib Dems agreed to subsidise the cinema to the tune of £100k a year for five years. The Conservatives complained, and even Richard Benyon described it as a "gross misuse of public money", although when it opened he said it was a fantastic development for the town. Finally, search the Newbury Today site, and you will see that a mistake on the West Berks site showed the council had given Debenhams FOUR MILLION POUNDS!!!

I agree with Parkway being built, but I don't agree with the land being sold for £1 or the fact that they are poaching existing stores in town at a huge cost to taxpayers. I agree with the cinema, but I don't agree with the subsidy at a cost to taxpayers.

Spot on! Ironic isn't it? I thought it was only the socalists that were supposed to meddle like this and spend national wealth trying to divert commerce for bogus social objectives.

[dannyboy]

Well, I wouldn't have given the cinema £100k a year or £4m to Debenhams. Debenhams already trade in town, and part of my gripe with the council is that Parkway was given permission on the basis of bringing new stores to town (there was no mention of relocating existing stores).

For the record, the Lib Dems agreed to subsidise the cinema to the tune of £100k a year for five years. The Conservatives complained, and even Richard Benyon described it as a "gross misuse of public money", although when it opened he said it was a fantastic development for the town. Finally, search the Newbury Today site, and you will see that a mistake on the West Berks site showed the council had given Debenhams FOUR MILLION POUNDS!!!

I agree with Parkway being built, but I don't agree with the land being sold for £1 or the fact that they are poaching existing stores in town at a huge cost to taxpayers. I agree with the cinema, but I don't agree with the subsidy at a cost to taxpayers.

SLI gave Debenhams £4million, not WBC.

[Richard Garvie]

Why did the paper and this very website report that it was the council then???

[Iommi]

They didn't which? (of the three possibilities )

Put it this way, of the three possibilities in Richard Garvie's post, one is incorrect (BTW - it is true that the Tories did complain about the subsidy for the cinema, but maintained it).