Morrisons Rumour Confirmed – Store Planned For The Upper High Street

Published on: 6 Jun, 2013
Updated on: 7 Jun, 2013

Morrisons is intending to move into this retail unit. For years it was the Argos store in Guildford.

It’s official. Morrisons, the supermarket chain, is coming to Guildford. It has applied to the borough council for an alcohol licence at 193 High Street, the building formerly occupied by Argos.

The official notice informing the public that Morrisons are applying for a licence to sell alcohol.

This application confirms its intention to move to Guildford and settles months of speculation by nearby traders.

Guy Peeke-Vout, manager of Pandora craft shop, opposite the proposed site, said: “From my point-of-view it’s better for an empty business unit to be occupied. Open stores pull people to this part of town, so it’s a positive thing.

“I’ve popped into a Morrisons and it had a good fish counter with fresh octopus, not something you often see. It’s good for the Upper High Street generally. Hopefully, it will increase the number of shoppers here but I do have sympathy for some of the other traders in the same line of business”.

Top Table’s Anita Hyman wasn’t so pleased: “It could be worse, at least it’s not Iceland.”

Laura Stubbs from Morrisons said: “We’re in the early stages of discussion about bringing a Morrisons M local to Guildford. We look forward to sharing our plans with the community as things progress”.

M Local is the supermarket’s corner shop brand name. The focus is on fresh food produced in its own factories and the stores employ skilled fishmongers, bakers and butchers.

The brand is relatively new to the convenience market and the store is keen to come to Guildford as Morrisons believes that the town is a good match for its products.

Ms Stubbs added that M Local branches aim to knit themselves into the community, becoming a hub for residents. They usually employ around 20 staff recruited locally.

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