A new Marks & Spencer store will be built in Nantwich after developers won approval from Cheshire East Council planners.
The former health clinic on Beam Street will be demolished and a new M&S food store built on the site.
Lancashire-based developers Eventus Properties revealed that a 20-year lease with M&S for the new unit has been agreed.
And planners gave the go ahead for the development, despite some local traders objecting to the plan over fears it will impact on smaller shops.
Eventus spokesman Craig Ainscough said on Twitter: “Eventus is proud to announce that we gained planning permission on our Nantwich site and secured M&S with a 20-yr lease.”
The company also tweeted sketchings of what the store will look like.
Nantwichnews understands that the store could be open by September this year in time for the town’s Food and Drink Festival.
Cheshire East planners, making their decision, said: “The existing building is typical of its type and age. It is bland and unremarkable architecturally and does not contribute to the significance of the conservation area.
“It is a neutral building but its current derelict and dilapidated state is damaging to the character and appearance of the conservation area.
“The principle of demolition is therefore acceptable. Detailed proposals for the re-use of the site, involving the construction of a replacement building, which would harmonise with its setting and would be sympathetic in terms of scale, form and materials to the characteristic built form of the area, including the adjacent buildings and spaces, have been submitted.”
John Weir, chairman of Nantwich Flourish, said: “Bringing in bigger branded companies like M&S will increase footfall to the town, and it’s a compliment to the town really.”
(PIC courtesy of Eventus Properties)
This is going to be a nightmare. Parking is the big problem. Getting a space to see the doctor is bad enough and like the post above, do you think we will pay to park and shop at M&S?
No, I will continue to shop at Sainsburys.
Allthough it is very nice to have the M & S foodstore in Nantwich, could the powers that be please explain how people are going to park to access the store, the current car parking facilities are stretched to the limit, as anyone who has been late for or missed an appointment at the medical centre due to the inability to find a parking space.
How on earth will the current parking facilities cope?, has this project really been thought out?
I seem to remember that when the Health Centre building was being planned it was promised that the old clinic would be demolished and the lost car parking spaces restored.
Nantwich desperately needs more car park spaces. So much for council promises that are so easily forgotten about.
Will M&S refund the parking charge their customers will have to pay or will shoppers still prefer other supermarkets that offer free parking?