Letter: Let’s Adjust the Local Plan for Guildford’s True Needs of the Future

Published on: 10 Aug, 2018
Updated on: 10 Aug, 2018

From A Atkinson

In response to: Guildford’s Largest High Street Store Bought by Sports Direct as Part of £90 Million Deal

The House of Fraser news is sad but not unexpected.

Back in April I predicted HoF, Debenhams and Sports Direct would merge. Today part one completed. It is only a matter of time before Ashley adds to his 30% ownership of Debenhams to complete the integration of the two into his existing retail empire.

Let’s hope something premium emerges and all fascias are not taken down the discount route like Ashley has done with the world famous Lillywhites.

But what is clear is that for Guildford to be a vibrant shopping centre it needs to focus, not massive expansion. With Homebase in trouble and three large footprint Guildford stores likely to be under single ownership, and looking for savings, let’s look at the evidence and adjust the Local Plan for Guildford’s true needs of the future.