Next is on track to open a new store in Caerphilly before Christmas, while Marks & Spencer is making progress on plans for a Foodhall at Gallagher Retail Park, with the two projects together set to create almost 100 jobs.
Next opening date confirmed
Local councillor Jamie Pritchard has confirmed that Next remains on schedule to welcome shoppers in December, with the retailer aiming to capitalise on Christmas trade. The opening date has been set for December 9, as previously announced earlier this month.
Planning documents submitted in connection with the proposals suggested that the new store could create 21 jobs locally. The retailer is expected to occupy a previously vacant unit at Gallagher Retail Park, which will be converted to accommodate the new store. The unit, situated next to a gym, was constructed in 2008 but has remained largely unused for almost two decades, aside from being used for storage.
M&S Foodhall plans advance
Plans to bring a new M&S Foodhall to the retail park have also taken a positive step forward, following an in-person meeting between councillors and representatives from the retailer on Monday, October 20.
Cllr Pritchard confirmed that he had met with Cllr Shayne Cook and Cllr Anne Broughton-Pettit to discuss the proposals with M&S representatives. He said: "Today I joined Cllr Shayne Cook & Cllr Anne Broughton-Pettit for an in-person meeting with Marks & Spencer representatives. I'd like to report that conversations were very positive. We explained how strong the community support is for the application and that we remain committed to working to get this over the line."
Cllr Pritchard revealed that around 560 people had responded to a local survey distributed to households, highlighting the level of community interest in the proposed development. He added that M&S was working through some finer details of its application, which the company hoped to complete shortly.
Community support and job creation
Speaking about the growing interest from residents, Cllr Pritchard said: "Everywhere I go, people keep asking me the same question - what is happening with Next and Marks and Spencer's?"
He added: "On the doors before our meeting, residents were upbeat, with many people asking us to keep them updated on where things are. I'll continue to post updates over the coming weeks."
Marks & Spencer submitted a planning application on August 26 seeking a change of use for a unit at Gallagher Retail Park to facilitate the opening of an M&S Foodhall which could create around 70 jobs if approved. The application relates specifically to Unit 18 and aims to accommodate the retailer's operational requirements.
Documents available through the council's planning portal state: "This application relates to Unit 18 of the Gallagher Retail Park only and will facilitate the occupation of the floorspace at the unit as an M&S Foodhall. Provision already exists for Unit 18 to operate as a 'foodstore', but this application seeks provision for the specific operational needs for M&S."
An M&S spokesperson confirmed that the company remained committed to progressing its plans and welcomed the response from the local community. They said: "We continue to progress our planning application for a new M&S Foodhall at Gallagher Retail Park in Caerphilly. We've been delighted by the positive response from the local community since submitting our proposals. If approved, the new Foodhall will create around 70 new jobs and provide a convenient, modern M&S shopping experience for Caerphilly residents and the surrounding community."
