Councillors urge support for Waitrose store in Sidcup

16 May 2012

Councillors are gathering signatures for a petition calling on the John Lewis Partnership to reverse its decision not to proceed with a new Waitrose store in Sidcup town centre.

The new store was planned as part of the development of a new Travelodge in the eastern section of the High Street. Bexley's Planning Committee gave the scheme planning permission in March.

Waitrose was reported as having taken out a 15-year lease on the retail unit below the hotel.

"We were shocked to learn that the company had decided to change its plan to open a store in the town centre and it's clear that many people share our disappointment," explained Cabinet member Cllr Linda Bailey. "We believe the store would be a great success and we will be meeting the company to urge it to change its mind. I hope as many local people as possible will support us by signing the petition."

The petition is available to sign online, at local shops displaying the campaign poster or at Sidcup Library in Hadlow Road, just off the High Street. Local Councillors will also be out in the High Street encouraging shoppers to give the petition their support.

The reaction to the prospect of a Waitrose opening in the town was generally positive, with many people expressing the view that it would have a positive impact on the town and draw shoppers from the surrounding area - including Chislehurst - to the eastern end of the High Street.

The nearest Waitrose stores to Sidcup are in Dartford and Bromley. Rivals are located in Eltham, Bexleyheath and Orpington - but none close enough to threaten the success of a new store.

In an economic and commercial study of Sidcup's town centre published earlier this year, the specialist consultants Strategic Perspectives said that the town is moving in the right direction. The report said that Sidcup was feeling the impact of national trends like other town centres, but was not suffering from any specific local problems.

The study said that the town centre is a popular place for food shopping and suggested that Sidcup should build on this. It pointed out that the town has been successful in attracting new investment, such as plans to extend Morrisons, the Travelodge development and the redevelopment of Hatherley House, Jemca and the town's former Job Centre.

Councillors will be meeting Waitrose later this month.

The petition is now closed.