M&S poised to open food shop at retail park

2:00pm Tuesday 31st July 2012 in News By Melissa Hills

A NEW Marks & Spencer store is set to open at the Mayflower Retail Park in Basildon .

The high street giant has submitted plans to Basildon Council to open the new Simply Food shop in the former MFI store, which closed a year ago.

The news has been cautiously welcomed by politicians, who say it’s great that an empty shop is being filled. But they worry it could take trade away from town centres in the borough.

Malcolm Buckley , councillor with responsibility for regeneration, said: “It’s great news Marks & Spencer wants to increase the number of shops they have in Basildon.

“It’s a leading high street retailer, and the fact it wants to invest in Basildon shows perhaps the economy is picking up. “The new shop will bring new jobs and opportunities to Basildon, which is really good for the town. “My only worry would be that it could take trade away from Basildon town centre.

“We have so many retail parks in Basildon, we need to do as much as possible to attract shoppers into our town centres.

“Shoppers are attracted to out of town retail parks because it’s free to park and they are easy to access. “The town centre has a lot to offer, and we need to ensure this is paramount in our regeneration plan.”

A spokesman for Marks & Spencer confirmed the new shop would be opening, but refused to confirm how many new jobs would be created, what precisely the shop would sell, how much floorspace there would be or when it would open.

Comments (7)

3:59pm Tue 31 Jul 12

liberace says...

"We have so many retail parks in Basildon, we need to do as much as possible to attract shoppers into our town centres."

Maybe Mr Buckley before saying the above should visit Wickford with its mass of charity shops, estate agents and take aways before commenting.
"We have so many retail parks in Basildon, we need to do as much as possible to attract shoppers into our town centres." Maybe Mr Buckley before saying the above should visit Wickford with its mass of charity shops, estate agents and take aways before commenting. liberace

4:39pm Tue 31 Jul 12

Ian Mott says...

When will Basildon Council realise that allowing the large chains to open their stores in the retail parks that they are not only signing the death nell of the local community shops at Wickford Laindon and Pitsea but they are also further destroying the viability of Basildon Town Centre.

I know that the Council have got themselves into financial difficulties over inept planning of the sports village but there is no need to continue with the destruction of the community to try and pay for it. I wonder how much M&S are contribution to the Council under the official 106 bribery scheme.
When will Basildon Council realise that allowing the large chains to open their stores in the retail parks that they are not only signing the death nell of the local community shops at Wickford Laindon and Pitsea but they are also further destroying the viability of Basildon Town Centre. I know that the Council have got themselves into financial difficulties over inept planning of the sports village but there is no need to continue with the destruction of the community to try and pay for it. I wonder how much M&S are contribution to the Council under the official 106 bribery scheme. Ian Mott

5:07pm Tue 31 Jul 12

The Cater Wood Creeper says...

Saves the Wickford yokels a trek into Basildon....
Saves the Wickford yokels a trek into Basildon.... The Cater Wood Creeper

5:42pm Tue 31 Jul 12

black jack ketchum says...

I only go into Basildon to visit M&S so saves me the cost of paying for parking! (wickford resident)
Exactly what will M&S take away from Basildon? its hardly in the pound shop league is it!
I only go into Basildon to visit M&S so saves me the cost of paying for parking! (wickford resident) Exactly what will M&S take away from Basildon? its hardly in the pound shop league is it! black jack ketchum

12:22pm Wed 1 Aug 12

Miss_Independent says...

FAB NEWS! Saves me having to go to Basildon to get some half decent food, hopefully Tesco’s will buck their ideas up what with having M&S on the doorstep!
FAB NEWS! Saves me having to go to Basildon to get some half decent food, hopefully Tesco’s will buck their ideas up what with having M&S on the doorstep! Miss_Independent

1:57pm Wed 1 Aug 12

The Cater Wood Creeper says...

Miss_Independent wrote:
FAB NEWS! Saves me having to go to Basildon to get some half decent food, hopefully Tesco’s will buck their ideas up what with having M&S on the doorstep!
poor you having only half decent food to look forward to. Never mind. I've heard that there's going to be a branch of Harrod's Food Hall and one from Fortnum and Mason opening in Billericay soon so you won't have to suffer too much longer....
[quote][p][bold]Miss_Independent[/bold] wrote: FAB NEWS! Saves me having to go to Basildon to get some half decent food, hopefully Tesco’s will buck their ideas up what with having M&S on the doorstep![/p][/quote]poor you having only half decent food to look forward to. Never mind. I've heard that there's going to be a branch of Harrod's Food Hall and one from Fortnum and Mason opening in Billericay soon so you won't have to suffer too much longer.... The Cater Wood Creeper

6:51pm Wed 1 Aug 12

green green grass of home says...

http://ltgdc.org.uk/
planning/planning-co
mmittee-membership/

Alan Clark the go between for Nottinghamshire council and Basildon Council on the purchase of land at Bowers Gifford it has many finger prints all over it its time the truth came out, and you lot in Billericay can strave for all i care youve kept this lot in power its about time we layed seige and cur your services off.
http://ltgdc.org.uk/ planning/planning-co mmittee-membership/ Alan Clark the go between for Nottinghamshire council and Basildon Council on the purchase of land at Bowers Gifford it has many finger prints all over it its time the truth came out, and you lot in Billericay can strave for all i care youve kept this lot in power its about time we layed seige and cur your services off. green green grass of home

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