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Popular chain to anchor Malls revamp
BARGAIN clothing and homeware store Primark is coming to Basingstoke.
The retail chain has agreed a deal to move into the former Allders unit in The Malls, and is expected to open its doors in the late spring.
Contracts were exchanged with the shopping centre's joint owners, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Key Property Investments Ltd, earlier this month after weeks of negotiations.
The new store will form a key part of borough council bosses' drive to regenerate The Malls.
Council leader Councillor John Leek said: "This is fantastic news for Basingstoke. As the anchor store in The Malls it was vital that it was let to a retailer that would be a real attraction to draw shoppers to the town.
"Primark has been a store that we were targeting as it constantly comes up as the top-choice retailer that residents want to see here.
"Signing the deal with Primark will draw in significant inward investment vital to the future success not just of The Malls, but of the town centre as a whole.
"This will be a springboard for further lettings and it gives us the catalyst to work with partners to look at how we can regenerate The Malls, making it more vibrant and attractive and providing better links with areas such as the railway station and The Anvil.
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| The former Allders unit |
"This is an example of our determination to move forward with pace and vision to ensure the prosperity of the borough.
"Further proposals for town centre improvements will be included in our Central Area Vision, to be published later this year."
Paul Arnold, senior development manager at St Modwen Properties Plc - part of Key Property Investments - said: "We are delighted to welcome Primark to The Malls and are confident that its arrival will help to bring a deserved boost to the town.
"We look forward to more success at The Malls in partnership with the council."
Basingstoke's Primark fans currently have to travel to stores in either Reading, Southampton or Camberley to shop.
12:11pm Thursday 16th August 2007
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CommentPosted by: Me, Tadley on 1:07pm Thu 16 Aug 07
All we need now is a John Lewis & no more having to go into Reading, who rip you off in parking, is usually full anyway, you have to walk all over town to get from one shop to another & can't breathe for the ciggerette smoke in Broad St, keep the parking cheap Basingstoke you are a much better place
All we need now is a John Lewis & no more having to go into Reading, who rip you off in parking, is usually full anyway, you have to walk all over town to get from one shop to another & can't breathe for the ciggerette smoke in Broad St, keep the parking cheap Basingstoke you are a much better place
Posted by: Darren, Old Basing on 2:02pm Thu 16 Aug 07
What a disaster! At a time that we are getting higher specification/qualit
y houses to the area such as "Skyline Plaza" and lovely "Sherfield Park" - we need to attract the better quality shopping and department stores.
I was really hoping we would get a proper department store such as John Lewis or House of Fraser as we already have a 'budget' chav shop in Matalan in Chineham which again was a shame to replace the lovely Allders.
I'm really gutted with this announcement for the regeneration of Basingstoke as this will do nothing to improve a 'chav' reputation that some people hold about the town. No matter of management spin will change my view on this disaster for Basingstoke.
Regards
What a disaster! At a time that we are getting higher specification/qualit
y houses to the area such as "Skyline Plaza" and lovely "Sherfield Park" - we need to attract the better quality shopping and department stores.
I was really hoping we would get a proper department store such as John Lewis or House of Fraser as we already have a 'budget' chav shop in Matalan in Chineham which again was a shame to replace the lovely Allders.
I'm really gutted with this announcement for the regeneration of Basingstoke as this will do nothing to improve a 'chav' reputation that some people hold about the town. No matter of management spin will change my view on this disaster for Basingstoke.
Regards
Posted by: Mark, Basingstoke on 3:14pm Thu 16 Aug 07
Oh dear lord another quality shop - could we not find a Pound U Like or an RSPCA Charity to fill this space? As Darren has said there is no vision here. A few steps away from this place a private company are selling management flats. I've watched Basingstoke change from small town to sprawl. Compared to Reading it may not have smoke when you shop but we seem to have missed and continual to miss opportunities to raise the profile, reputation and quality of this place.
Oh dear lord another quality shop - could we not find a Pound U Like or an RSPCA Charity to fill this space? As Darren has said there is no vision here. A few steps away from this place a private company are selling management flats. I've watched Basingstoke change from small town to sprawl. Compared to Reading it may not have smoke when you shop but we seem to have missed and continual to miss opportunities to raise the profile, reputation and quality of this place.
Posted by: Sue, Basingstoke on 3:14pm Thu 16 Aug 07
Good. Now get John Lewis OR House of Fraser as well, and we'll have covered all types of people. The 'well-off' and the 'not so well-off' will be doing their shopping in Basingstoke, instead of going to Southampton, Reading or Camberley.
Good. Now get John Lewis OR House of Fraser as well, and we'll have covered all types of people. The 'well-off' and the 'not so well-off' will be doing their shopping in Basingstoke, instead of going to Southampton, Reading or Camberley.
Posted by: Darren, Old Basing on 4:18pm Thu 16 Aug 07
Agree with both Mark and Sue's comments.
This Primark agreement and subsequent management spin is only really in the interests of the owners of the place to push up their investment value in the short term - lets be honest anything in the ex-Allders shop will increase the vaule of the Malls portfolio for the private owners. Therefore I'm a bit disapointed with the Council in not pushing back further in endeavoring to champion a long term vision for Basingstoke.
Now that Primark will anchor the Malls, I just can't see where a more 'up market' department store can anchor within Basingstoke. I think it would have been more beneficial to Basingstoke if a more upmarket Chain could have anchored the Malls first to use as a catalyst for development and then the lower market shops. I mean, after all, there is Matalan and also TK Maxx, so surely enough for the 'not so well off'. I will have to stick to Guildford for my shopping as like the first post from Tadly, Reading is just too busy and Southampton doesn't have a House of Fraser or a Ted Baker or a Habitat.
Agree with both Mark and Sue's comments.
This Primark agreement and subsequent management spin is only really in the interests of the owners of the place to push up their investment value in the short term - lets be honest anything in the ex-Allders shop will increase the vaule of the Malls portfolio for the private owners. Therefore I'm a bit disapointed with the Council in not pushing back further in endeavoring to champion a long term vision for Basingstoke.
Now that Primark will anchor the Malls, I just can't see where a more 'up market' department store can anchor within Basingstoke. I think it would have been more beneficial to Basingstoke if a more upmarket Chain could have anchored the Malls first to use as a catalyst for development and then the lower market shops. I mean, after all, there is Matalan and also TK Maxx, so surely enough for the 'not so well off'. I will have to stick to Guildford for my shopping as like the first post from Tadly, Reading is just too busy and Southampton doesn't have a House of Fraser or a Ted Baker or a Habitat.
Posted by: Ian, Basingstoke on 6:20pm Thu 16 Aug 07
Surely this represents the residents requirements? If no-one shops in Primark then it will quickly disappear. I would imagine that the directors of John Lewis / House of Fraser etc consider that the rent / profit opportunity is not good in Basingstoke. Expect more of the same - Aldi, Netto anyone?
Surely this represents the residents requirements? If no-one shops in Primark then it will quickly disappear. I would imagine that the directors of John Lewis / House of Fraser etc consider that the rent / profit opportunity is not good in Basingstoke. Expect more of the same - Aldi, Netto anyone?
Posted by: Pauline, Oakley on 10:05pm Thu 16 Aug 07
About time too. It's all very well for these rich people who can afford to shop in John Lewis, we have Debenhams and other upmarket shops. I am so pleased that I won't have to leave Basingstoke to visit Reading or Southampton in order to shop in Primark. I'm not a chav but can't afford John Lewis prices.
About time too. It's all very well for these rich people who can afford to shop in John Lewis, we have Debenhams and other upmarket shops. I am so pleased that I won't have to leave Basingstoke to visit Reading or Southampton in order to shop in Primark. I'm not a chav but can't afford John Lewis prices.
Posted by: Nicky, Basingstoke on 8:48am Fri 17 Aug 07
Here here Pauline, we are not all so well off to be able to shop in expensive deartment stores, as a mother of three fast growing children Primark will be a blessing ! I am employed, do earn a wage and am not on state benefits and not a single parent. I will gladley shop in Primark, Im glad it is finally coming to Basingstoke.
Here here Pauline, we are not all so well off to be able to shop in expensive deartment stores, as a mother of three fast growing children Primark will be a blessing ! I am employed, do earn a wage and am not on state benefits and not a single parent. I will gladley shop in Primark, Im glad it is finally coming to Basingstoke.
Posted by: Anne, Basingstoke on 5:19pm Sat 18 Aug 07
Well i love my designer clothes & House of Fraser, but i love Primark too, i think that it`s great that they are going into the Allders store as that end of the town needs life brought back to it, i worked in the Allders store for many years & it kept that end of town alive, so if any of the other Pimark stores are anything to go by i think we will have a ghosted Festival Place, sfter all all these designer shops are not hanging around in there too long are they?
Well i love my designer clothes & House of Fraser, but i love Primark too, i think that it`s great that they are going into the Allders store as that end of the town needs life brought back to it, i worked in the Allders store for many years & it kept that end of town alive, so if any of the other Pimark stores are anything to go by i think we will have a ghosted Festival Place, sfter all all these designer shops are not hanging around in there too long are they?
Posted by: Annette, Basingstoke on 8:50am Tue 21 Aug 07
That is the best news ever! I know there will be lots of happy peolpe now. Not everyone is loaded and its great to beable to have fashionable clothes at reasonable prices! I'm very excited! Thanks.
That is the best news ever! I know there will be lots of happy peolpe now. Not everyone is loaded and its great to beable to have fashionable clothes at reasonable prices! I'm very excited! Thanks.
Posted by: Bonzo, Local on 9:19am Tue 21 Aug 07
As there are huge amounts of people already using the Reading Primark it can only be good for everyone that they won't have far to travel anymore.
Someone was even organising a coach to regularly transport bargain-hunters there.
Competition is great for our town, as the big names have had it good for too long now selling their hyper-priced 'designer' tat.
It's certainly liven up shopping in sleepy Basingstoke....
As there are huge amounts of people already using the Reading Primark it can only be good for everyone that they won't have far to travel anymore.
Someone was even organising a coach to regularly transport bargain-hunters there.
Competition is great for our town, as the big names have had it good for too long now selling their hyper-priced 'designer' tat.
It's certainly liven up shopping in sleepy Basingstoke....
Posted by: Bonzo, Local on 9:20am Tue 21 Aug 07
As there are huge amounts of people already using the Reading Primark it can only be good for everyone that they won't have far to travel anymore.
Someone was even organising a coach to regularly transport bargain-hunters there.
Competition is great for our town, as the big names have had it good for too long now selling their hyper-priced 'designer' tat.
It'll certainly liven up shopping in sleepy Basingstoke....
As there are huge amounts of people already using the Reading Primark it can only be good for everyone that they won't have far to travel anymore.
Someone was even organising a coach to regularly transport bargain-hunters there.
Competition is great for our town, as the big names have had it good for too long now selling their hyper-priced 'designer' tat.
It'll certainly liven up shopping in sleepy Basingstoke....
Posted by: Jenny, basingstoke on 12:50pm Tue 21 Aug 07
I agree with Pauline it will be nice to shop at Primark in Basingstoke it will save on train fare and car parking.Just to say to Darren at Old Basing I AM NOT A CHAV but I spend my money carefrully!!!!!
I agree with Pauline it will be nice to shop at Primark in Basingstoke it will save on train fare and car parking.Just to say to Darren at Old Basing I AM NOT A CHAV but I spend my money carefrully!!!!!
Posted by: Darren, Old Basing on 9:23am Wed 22 Aug 07
I underestimated the strength of support for Primark! I still consider it a missed opportunity however wish you all well in your bargain hunting - perhaps I might change my socks and underpant buying from m&s to Primark to save a thrifty penny :-)
Regards
Darren
I underestimated the strength of support for Primark! I still consider it a missed opportunity however wish you all well in your bargain hunting - perhaps I might change my socks and underpant buying from m&s to Primark to save a thrifty penny :-)
Regards
Darren
Posted by: jackie+tim, basingstoke on 2:34pm Fri 28 Sep 07
i am very happy to hear my fav store primark is coming to the town,not always possible to keep travelling to reading,which is the nearest at present,excelent value and also excellent quality
i am very happy to hear my fav store primark is coming to the town,not always possible to keep travelling to reading,which is the nearest at present,excelent value and also excellent quality
Posted by: David, Chineham on 6:32pm Sat 10 Nov 07
That sounds great! It would mean that we don't have to go to Reading for Primark any more, and have an anchor store for The Malls (Anything is better than the empty shop). Primark is one of the few the missing links in the strong shopping centre network in Basingstoke.
That sounds great! It would mean that we don't have to go to Reading for Primark any more, and have an anchor store for The Malls (Anything is better than the empty shop). Primark is one of the few the missing links in the strong shopping centre network in Basingstoke.
Posted by: Samantha, Reading on 10:21pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Does anyone know the number to ring to apply for a job at Primark in Basingstoke ?
Does anyone know the number to ring to apply for a job at Primark in Basingstoke ?
Posted by: Charliieee, Basingstokee on 6:08pm Tue 18 Mar 08
[bold]bold[/bold] Primarkk is like my favourite shop ever so im pleased its come to Basingstoke (: and 'Darren' matee Primark is NOT and mistakee!
Primarkk is like my favourite shop ever so im pleased its come to Basingstoke (: and 'Darren' matee Primark is NOT and mistakee!
Posted by: Sophiiee, Homeee on 6:21pm Tue 18 Mar 08
I Love primemark and im well happy its come to basingstoke because now i dont have to travel to reading all the time! i also agree with charlie, darren primemark is not a mistake or 'chavy'.. if we got another departent store it would be pointless because we already have debenhams and bhs.
I Love primemark and im well happy its come to basingstoke because now i dont have to travel to reading all the time! i also agree with charlie, darren primemark is not a mistake or 'chavy'.. if we got another departent store it would be pointless because we already have debenhams and bhs.
Posted by: mill, gu7tol on 5:19pm Sun 23 Mar 08
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