M&S plans switch to retail park

National retailer Marks and Spencer could move on to Northgate Retail Park in Newark when it leaves the town centre, planning papers have revealed.

A planning application has been submitted to Newark and Sherwood District Council to vary a condition on the Carpetright unit — Unit C — to allow the sale of food and drink.

The store will be a foodhall only and not stock any other M&S ranges, such as clothing.

The town branch on Stodman Street, one of the biggest stores in the town centre, will shut.

Q&A Planning, on behalf of their client Limes Estates, writes in a supporting letter: “As has been widely reported in recent media coverage, Carpetright has experienced trading difficulties for some time and on April 26 the company entered into a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA).

“Under the terms of the CVA, Limes Estates has the ability to take back the store at Northgate, and intends to do so.”

Carpetright told the Advertiser it had yet to be served notice by the landlord so it was business as usual for the store.

The letter continued: “Marks and Spencer Plc has agreed terms with Limes Estates, with the intention of opening a new foodhall in Unit C.

“The proposed new M&S foodhall will deliver a range of benefits to the Newark area.

“The new Northgate foodhall will enable Marks and Spencer to enhance their food retail offering in Newark and the surrounding area.”

The letter says M&S considered a numberof other sites, but none met its requirements.

It said occupation of Unit C provided a “key opportunity to safeguard the long- term future of an M&S food retail operation in Newark.”

Three applications have been submitted for M&S. It includes a foodhall sales area of 695sq metres and a mezzanine gallery for office and storage space.

The letter contests the view the Stodman Street store closure could materially affect the town centre.

The applications were discussed by Newark Town Council’s planning committee.

Mr Tony Roberts said: “Like so many people, I regret M&S is moving from the town centre but I realise it will still have a presence in the town and that says something about the town I think.

“I just hope someone takes that unit on Stodman Street.”

M&S did not respond to the Advertiser’s request for comment.

The company announced plans to be the anchor business on the new Maltings Retail Park, but withdrew from the scheme.

A Carpetright spokesman said: “We have been made aware of a planning application which could potentially affect our Newark store.

“As we have not received any formal notice from the landlord on that site we can only assume that this is currently speculative.

“It is currently business as usual for both colleagues and customers.”

Carpetright previously told the Advertiser it wanted to retain the profit-making Newark store.