Kingston town centre’s most prominent vacant property will be finally be filled in November, after fashion retailer Next said it would move into the former Borders site in the Market Place in November.
A community pressure group that campaigned for the site to be used for the local community said it was disappointed by the news, confirmed after Next put its current Market Place shop on the market last week.
The news comes almost a year after the famous book chain went into administration.
David Randall, co-ordinator of Vital Kingston, said: “This news is disappointing, but it is not surprising.
“It doesn’t have to be like this. We appealed to the landlord to consider our ideas about the future of Borders with representative from the community, but unfortunately there does not seem to be any community liaison function in the company.
“People we spoke to would much rather have a social space like Borders back, rather than a new, bigger Next.”
The 27,000 sq ft site was put on the market for £448,000-a-year rent, and a Next spokesman said it would include children and home departments, in addition to the men and women’s sections in its current location, currently on the market for £246,000 rent.
Kingston town centre manager Graham McNally said: “Next and its people advising them have a long history and have been successful in renewing and reviewing the customer base they appeal to. They are worthy people to be taking that location.
“I think Vital Kingston has the right idea but was aiming at the wrong site. The owner was an insurance company we have pensions with. It’s not in their remit to start saying we will do loss-making deals for the people who are investing with us.”
He said Market House, that KingstonFirst has taken over, will be used by community groups.
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