John Lewis "Poised" to Sign for Store in Westfield Extension
Third department store in Shepherd's Bush could be open in 2015
John Lewis is about to sign for a new store in Westfield’s planned extension, according to the Evening Standard.
It has long been rumoured that John Lewis will be the "anchor" store in the extension, which will be built on land just north of the current shopping centre in Shepherd's Bush, and will also which include over 1,500 new homes.
Now it is reported that the department store is in advanced talks with Westfield and is "poised" to sign the deal. The new store would be competition for the existing Debenhams and House of Fraser stores once the extension opens.
With construction of the first phase of the extension planned to begin next year, the new store could be open to the public in 2015.
Outline planning permission for Westfield's expansion was granted by Hammersmith and Fulham Council almost exactly one year ago, on February 16, 2012.
The plans mean the creation of 1,522 new homes, and 550,000 sq ft of retail, along with restaurants, offices and new public open space.
Westfield say the £1 billion regeneration masterplan seeks to redevelop a nine hectare site, either side of Ariel Way, into a "vibrant new pedestrian quarter".
The number of homes was scaled down slightly from an earlier application, but still includes around 250 affordable homes. The development ranges from four to 12 storeys in height with one feature building 20 storeys high.
H & F Council says the project will be built in phases over the next 17 years and will bring up to 6,700 jobs to the area.
Westfield will also contribute £20m toward improvements to the community, including £3.9m for works to Shepherds Bush overground train station, with an extension to the ticket office, a new entrance and for lengthening the platform.
A new bridge and pedestrian footpaths linking east and west of the site will also be built, connecting H&F with Kensington and Chelsea.
Last February, Duncan Bower, Westfield's Director of Development and Asset Management, said: "We are naturally very pleased with the decision by Hammersmith and Fulham Council to approve the scheme which will provide a further £1 billion investment in the area and create 6,700 jobs plus new homes and retail. We now await the decision of both the Mayor and the Secretary of State.”
" In just over three years from opening, Westfield London has established itself as an important new retail and leisure destination for West London with almost £1 billion in sales and over 27 million customer visits last year. The incorporation of quality housing of this scale will further complement the vibrancy of the location and provide a further catalyst for the ongoing regeneration of the White City Opportunity Area."
February 1, 2013
