Fresh drive to draw in the big names at shopping centre

10:00am Thursday 31st May 2007

Comments (4)   Have your say »

A BUSY shopping centre is set for a radical revamp in an attempt to attract national and higher profile retailers.

Developers want to build five new shops at the Locks Heath shopping centre, near Fareham, and to extend the car park and add a fried chicken take-away drive-through restaurant.

Property investors Halladale, which bought the centre two years ago, believes its plans will breathe new life into the area and is already in talks with several retail chains about filling the new units.

The company is now preparing to submit its proposals to Fareham Borough Council for planning permission, and if successful hopes to have the shops open in time for Christmas 2008.

But the plans have already proved controversial with local residents.

Earlier this month Halladale staged a three-day public exhibition, when more than 1,000 people aired their views on the changes.

Many were outraged by plans to demolish the centre's clock tower, a popular focal point for the area, and the company's architects have already altered the proposal to ensure it remains. But there could also be problems introducing a fast food outlet on the site's eastern car park.

Three years ago residents forced McDonalds to withdraw plans to build an outlet on the site, and many have vowed to fight any addition that could encourage youths to hang around the area.

Despite letters of objection from more than 500 people citing fears about traffic, litter and loutish behaviour, Fareham Borough Council granted planning permission for a restaurant in 2002. The chain pulled out of plans to build the outlet two years later, but Halladale has now signed-up KFC to move in.

"The planning permission still exists, and whether it's McDonald's, KFC or a fish and chip shop it's still valid," said company spokesman Paul Dimoldenberg.

"New shops would provide the area with some vitality and make the centre even more popular with local people.

"We've been talking with a number of national retailers, like M&S Simply Food, New Look, Peacocks, Sainsbury's Local, Costa Coffee, and Farm Foods, who are interested in coming to Locks Heath.

"Because these sorts of retailers want bigger units than exist at the moment we've had to look at ways we can provide those within the existing centre."