The Kennet Shopping Centre has filed a letter to support the construction of a third anchor store in the Parkway complex.

In the letter, the Kennet Centre manager Mag Williams states that the construction of the new store would contribute positively to the future of Parkway, attracting the retailers that Newbury needs and prevent the local populace using their cars to travel to other towns.

She goes on to say that “Despite the current climate demand still remains for larger retail space that Newbury town centre currently lacks. This is demonstrated by the recently refreshed popularity of the larger units at the retail park”

The construction of the third anchor store would mean the loss of the proposed open space known as Victoria Square.  Mrs Williams indicates in her letter that this would have little or no impact on the scheme or its visitors.

Finally she states that “The reduction in parking should easily be afforded as other nearby car parks will be more utilised, especially as the proposed digital car park signage will be operating”

The Parkway shopping scheme is due to open in the autumn of 2011, although planning permission for this variation will not be decided until early 2011. Newbury.net understands that even if planning permission is approved that this part of the scheme would not be completed until early 2012. A John Lewis Homestore is believed to be the favoured occupant for this new unit.

Why does this remind me of Turkeys voting for Christmas?


Threep.

Peculiar letter of support. Just appears as a blank screen on my computer.

Has it been censored or do I have a problem on my computer?

Quoted from Archie

Peculiar letter of support. Just appears as a blank screen on my computer.

Has it been censored or do I have a problem on my computer?

Same here.

Quoted from Archie

Peculiar letter of support. Just appears as a blank screen on my computer.

Has it been censored or do I have a problem on my computer?

Perhaps they haven't got anything to say hence the blank sheet.
I must say that when House of Fraser objected, I thought they might be looking at KS when Debenhams moved out but if KS are actually sending a letter of support, that's a bad guess. Unlike Camp Hopson who just made a press statement, KS, if the council get it together and there really is a letter of support it's, as Threep said, "Turkeys voting for Christmas".

The objection from NTC and others, is not anti John Lewis, but an objection to the gross facade that will replace Victoria square which was always promoted by SLI and WBC as an oasis for shoppers and was designed to attempt to integrate the whole thing with the town ethos and link across to Victoria Park. So, I can't wait to read their letter of support.

While we are talking about letters on the subject, there is a scan of the header sheet from Newbury Town Council which asks for an S106 payment. " A reasonable s106 contribution" for Victoria Park, should planning permission be granted. Fair enough one would think as the loss of the community area might put more pressure on the park.

What have WBC asked for.... An S106 payment of £2,245 for libraries in West Berks. Now what is that all about. Perhaps people who use John Lewis are avid library users. No mention of the request from the towm council. Just an attempt by WBC to make a bob or two to bolster the S106 pot with almost certainly no intention of spending it.

Quoted from Administrator

The Kennet Shopping Centre has filed a letter to support the construction of a third anchor store in the Parkway complex.

In the letter, the Kennet Centre manager Mag Williams states that the construction of the new store would contribute positively to the future of Parkway, attracting the retailers that Newbury needs and prevent the local populace using their cars to travel to other towns.

She goes on to say that “Despite the current climate demand still remains for larger retail space that Newbury town centre currently lacks. This is demonstrated by the recently refreshed popularity of the larger units at the retail park”

The construction of the third anchor store would mean the loss of the proposed open space known as Victoria Square.  Mrs Williams indicates in her letter that this would have little or no impact on the scheme or its visitors.

Finally she states that “The reduction in parking should easily be afforded as other nearby car parks will be more utilised, especially as the proposed digital car park signage will be operating”

The Parkway shopping scheme is due to open in the autumn of 2011, although planning permission for this variation will not be decided until early 2011. Newbury.net understands that even if planning permission is approved that this part of the scheme would not be completed until early 2012. A John Lewis Homestore is believed to be the favoured occupant for this new unit.

There still appears to be a problem on the West Berks web site. Perhaps we need user23 to investigate.

Quoted from Administrator

There still appears to be a problem on the West Berks web site. Perhaps we need user23 to investigate.

It rather looks as if the whole of the West Berks website has gone "tits up". Has this got anything to do with Wicky Leaks?

Does this tie in with the other thread about a new ParkWay centre manager perchance?  

Why would KC support Parkway when it's pretty certainly going to kill off any business there? Unless Parkway doesn't work and they both end up empty...

Quoted from skyfairy

Why would KC support Parkway when it's pretty certainly going to kill off any business there? Unless Parkway doesn't work and they both end up empty...

Because they realise that the lettings so far are just "shuffling the pack". For the Parkway project to succeed, there has to be a new "Major" retailer in town. The John Lewis Homestore concept is regenerating the town centre retail trade throughout the country. Parkway desperately needs John Lewis or it will become a white elephant. There are several major retailers hesitating to sign up until the outcome of the planning application is known.

If Parkway thrives, then the rest of the town (including the Kennet Centre) will thrive. Kennet Centre are not sitting back waiting for the inevitable, they are looking at several options for the future, but they need the extra footfall in town which John Lewis will bring.

(Under normal circumstances I would not be in favour of the planning application, but Newbury desperately needs John Lewis)

Quoted from BrianB

If Parkway thrives, then the rest of the town (including the Kennet Centre) will thrive. Kennet Centre are not sitting back waiting for the inevitable, they are looking at several options for the future, but they need the extra footfall in town which John Lewis will bring.

Would it be true to say you think that Newbury's traders should support Parkway?

Quoted from user23.3

Would it be true to say you think that Newbury's traders should support Parkway?

Like I said, if Parkway thrives, then the rest of the town will thrive. At the moment, with one or two exceptions, most of the tenants for Parkway are just moving from other parts of the town. Even Northbrook Street is going to suffer as things currently stand.

Quoted from BrianB

(Under normal circumstances I would not be in favour of the planning application, but Newbury desperately needs John Lewis)

This is the attitude that got us the dreadful cinema design.  If Parkway wants John Lewis then they sould come up with a solution that does not take over the open space and parking and that fits into the development more sympathetically.  

I just don't think that this was quite the right time to built Parkway (if it had to be built at all). Considering we can't afford to keep day care centres open, I don't think we can afford this. It not definite that the whole town will thrive if Parkway works, it might just take all the attention up there. Why do we need a John Lewis in Newbury?

Quoted from blackdog

This is the attitude that got us the dreadful cinema design.  If Parkway wants John Lewis then they sould come up with a solution that does not take over the open space and parking and that fits into the development more sympathetically.  

I would agree with this entirely. The construction of the additional anchor store will be an eyesore that Newbury could well do without and carving up the car park spaces to provide pickup facilities for JLP customers is ridiculous.

However I do fear for the future of the town if the planning application is refused.

The Kennet Centre manager obviously feels that having a John Lewis in town would be to their and the town's advantage. She may be right but the store is not a full version as we know it and is only a homeware version, so, apart from the name, it has little else to offer the town.
Quote
I believe creating a new larger store would contribute positively to the future of parkway, attracting the retailers that Newbury needs and prevent the local populace using their cars to travel to other towns
and
Given the close proximity of Victoria Park, losing the proposed open space should have little or no impact on the scheme or its visitors
Kennet Shopping may benefit from the overflow from the full car park when the digital signs point to them. How often the Parkway car park will be full to overflowing remains to be seen. It will be interesting to understand the reasons why WBC will have not to implement this modern and expensive signage as I am sure they will have some.
The reduction in parking should easily be afforded as other nearby car parks will be utilised more., especially as the proposed digital car park signage will be operating.

I believe that Kennet Shopping have misunderstood the reason for the various objections to the application. It is not about keeping out a good shopping name, it's about an ugly afterthought building that we will regret for years to come, the loss of the one public space designed into the original design and approval and the loss of income to WBC for the parking spaces which are being snatched back.

Just as a by the way, what is the Kennet shopping centre really called.
The Email address is kennetshopping, The email refers to Kennet Shopping Centre, the manager is referred to as Centre Manager, the address is The Kennet Centre, Centre Management Office. the website is http://www.kennetshopping.co.uk.
And just for good measure, the website welcomes you to kennet Shopping but the Cinema is detailed as being in the Kennet Centre. I remember Fact File was always correcting us on the title. Where is she now....

Quoted from brian

the store is not a full version as we know it and is only a homeware version, so, apart from the name, it has little else to offer the town.

It would have been great to have a full John Lewis store in Newbury, and far better than paying Debenhams to move sites.  (It always surprised me that Debenhams didn't snap up the old Sainsburys site in the KC.)

Quoted from skyfairy

I just don't think that this was quite the right time to built Parkway (if it had to be built at all). Considering we can't afford to keep day care centres open, I don't think we can afford this. It not definite that the whole town will thrive if Parkway works, it might just take all the attention up there. Why do we need a John Lewis in Newbury?

I don't see the link between day centres and Parkway - we (the taxpayers) are not building Parkway. I suppose that, if it works, Parkway will increase the tax revenue - which could make some cash available for day centres.

I think the Kennetr Centre have a great vision and plan, and are doing very well at present. Debenhams will be a blow and hopefully they can get over that, but they see this as something positive for the town and fair play to them for backing it. Both Camp Hopson and the Kennet Centre could have thrown a wobbler over this, but they have both risen above it and taken on the challenge. Rather than question their motives, I think Camp Hopson and the Kennet Centre deserve some kind of applause for the way they have conducted themselves during this process.

Quoted from richard.garvie

I think Camp Hopson and the Kennet Centre deserve some kind of applause for the way they have conducted themselves during this process.

Just as a matter of interest how has Mr Hopson reacted to the prospect of a furniture store right next to his own furniture store?  I guess there are two possibilities:

i. 'Great! This will increase the number of people who come to Newbury to buy furniture - shoppers will be more likely to shop and buy here if it's easy for them to make comparisons and see a wider range.  The net effect will be very positive, even for the Kennet Centre/Shopping with its increasingly down-market offering.'

ii. 'How dare someone build a furniture store right next to my own furniture store and steal my customers.'

I assume from your post that i. is the correct answer to my question.

Stop press: just spotted this http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/news/Article.aspx?articleID=15106 so the correct answer is 'i'; after all.  Good.  Shame that our useless Newbury Town Councillors can't be as grown up about this.  How much could we save if we cut them?

Quoted from blackdog

I don't see the link between day centres and Parkway - we (the taxpayers) are not building Parkway.

You don't think that selling the Car Parks for £1 as opposed to the proper retail price might have made a difference to the coffers at WBC?


Threep.

Quoted from noobree

Stop press: just spotted this http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/news/Article.aspx?articleID=15106 so the correct answer is 'i'; after all.  Good.  Shame that our useless Newbury Town Councillors can't be as grown up about this.  How much could we save if we cut them?

He'd hardly abmit ii: in public, even if that is what he thinks.

After all this was the chap who was quoted as saying his store was the leading indie retailer in town & long would remain so in the NWN, the same week that he flogged off 2 thirds of his Northbrook St frontage to River Island & HSBC.

Quoted from Threepwood

You don't think that selling the Car Parks for £1 as opposed to the proper retail price might have made a difference to the coffers at WBC?
Threep.

The OP was suggesting that Parkway should not be built in the current economic climate - if that were the case the land would not be sold at all, so WBC's coffers would not be filled either way.

Quoted from blackdog

The OP was suggesting that Parkway should not be built in the current economic climate - if that were the case the land would not be sold at all, so WBC's coffers would not be filled either way.

Parking revenue?

Quoted from Greenham Common

Parking revenue?

Parking revenue is an interesting point - but far from a clear one.

Parkway sits on top of a lot of WBC parking spaces and hence it could be assumed that WBC has lost a lot of cash.  However, that doesn't take account of the parkers moving to other WBC parks instead.  Without seeing WBC's parking income figures it's impossible to say how much, if any, they have lost.  Certainly they have less parking spaces so the costs of monitoring them and maintaining pay & display machines should, in theory, have fallen.

Another issue is that the delays at Parkway have cost WBC their share of the parking charges from the new car park.  Given that Parkway is expected to bring extra people to Newbury this should generate additional revenue for WBC (let's hope so or the £1 sale was a seriously bad deal). However, they will lose out from drivers using the new car park instead of the current WBC parks - at present 100% of their parking payments go to WBC, in the new park a percentage will go to the Parkway management company.

It's a very confusing situation.

Quoted from blackdog

, in the new park a percentage will go to the Parkway management company.

Maybe then if they get planning for their gross edifice, the loss of car parking spaces and income should come from SLI's percentage.

Quoted from noobree

Just as a matter of interest how has Mr Hopson reacted to the prospect of a furniture store right next to his own furniture store?  I guess there are two possibilities:

i. 'Great! This will increase the number of people who come to Newbury to buy furniture - shoppers will be more likely to shop and buy here if it's easy for them to make comparisons and see a wider range.  The net effect will be very positive, even for the Kennet Centre/Shopping with its increasingly down-market offering.'

ii. 'How dare someone build a furniture store right next to my own furniture store and steal my customers.'

I assume from your post that i. is the correct answer to my question.

Stop press: just spotted this http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/news/Article.aspx?articleID=15106 so the correct answer is 'i'; after all.  Good.  Shame that our useless Newbury Town Councillors can't be as grown up about this.  How much could we save if we cut them?

It has always been the case that similar retail businesses were happy to have their competitors next door,  known as 'creating a market' it is essentially the swings and roundabouts concept,  it is not the fear of having cutomers 'stolen' but the acknowledgement that while customers will not travel to only one shop where the choice- even if comprehensive- may not include what is wanted but  they will make the trip when there is a an alternative or more, Having such choices is what made Northbrook St so vibrant at one time-nine shoe shops, six menswear stores (seven if you inc Camps) similar number for ladies,
  

Quoted from old codger

It has always been the case that similar retail businesses were happy to have their competitors next door,

Not everyone subscribes to this idea, you'll find that a certain local family owned and run large department store has spent the greater part of the last 30 years preventing any kind of competition from opening up in the town centre.


Threep.

I think from what I know about it, Camp Hopson have always fought to protect theirown business. Any retailer would. But in the scheme of things, I think both Jonathan and Mags see the benefits of attracting another flagship retailer to the town will have. PArkway will be good for the town if it is executed rightly, despite the issues surrounding how it came about and potential hurdles we will have to overcome when it opens. Hasn't the development been built to the new spec anyway? If so, doesn't this question why we are going through this process, as we appear to already know what the answer will be?

Quoted from richard.garvie

I think from what I know about it, Camp Hopson have always fought to protect theirown business. Any retailer would. But in the scheme of things, I think both Jonathan and Mags see the benefits of attracting another flagship retailer to the town will have. PArkway will be good for the town if it is executed rightly, despite the issues surrounding how it came about and potential hurdles we will have to overcome when it opens. Hasn't the development been built to the new spec anyway? If so, doesn't this question why we are going through this process, as we appear to already know what the answer will be?

Not sure what you are on about here?  New spec?  Are you suggesting that the redesign for John Lewis has already been built?

Quoted from blackdog

Not sure what you are on about here?  New spec?  Are you suggesting that the redesign for John Lewis has already been built?

he is. not for the first time either.

Quoted from 78

he is. not for the first time either.

I'd like to know what you're talking about!  

From simply looking at the site, it appears that the buildings have been put up to the new spec, but this is just from looking at the scale model of the old format and seeing the pictures of the new layout on here.

Mission creep, it seems, is a familiar tactic for developers.

Quoted from richard.garvie

From simply looking at the site, it appears that the buildings have been put up to the new spec, but this is just from looking at the scale model of the old format and seeing the pictures of the new layout on here.

I suggest you go have a closer look.

You don't have to get too close to see what a monstrosity the whole project looks.

Quoted from Greenham Common

You don't have to get too close to see what a monstrosity the whole project looks.

you won't be able to see it when you are shopping inside all the nice new shops.  

Quoted from 78

you won't be able to see it when you are shopping inside all the nice new shops.  

To some, that is all that matters it seems.

By new, you mean 'mainly the same shops as we've already got now, just in a diffrerent location'?


Threep.