The Tesco Superstore in Chatham town centre closed on Saturday last week, and potential investors have already began talks about the future of the former Tesco site. This week officers told Medway Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee that positive early stage discussions were underway. Although Councillors welcomed the news, the potential loss of 121 jobs at the site remains a concern, as well as the abandonment of the site. Meanwhile, Tesco is investigating the possibility of redeploying staff in other stores, while further support is being offered by Job Centre Plus and the National Careers Service. Tesco have assigned agents Morgan Williams to begin marketing the store for either disposal or letting from the 5th April 2015. They are currently considering all options including letting to other supermarkets and discount food shops. Although the popular choice among residents would be another supermarket, it is highly likely that the building will be demolished and the site used for different purposes. Tesco have also confirmed that the adjacent tenant, Coslo Homeplus, is not will not have any 'immediate effects' at this time. Cllr Vince Maple, Leader of Medway Labour Group and Chatham Central Councillor said: “Clearly the loss of this store is a huge blow to both the employees and the wider Chatham community who value the store.
“It is positive to hear there are some initial discussions ongoing which I hope will bring the right outcome for Chatham.” The committee agreed to further review the situation in six months time. You may read the report discussed at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee here: http://democracy.medway.gov.uk/mgconvert2pdf.aspx?id=26686 Since opening in the 1980s, the Tesco Superstore in Chatham town centre has provided many of the local people's day-to-day food and other essentials. However, Tesco bosses announced the store's closure for April 4 in mid-January. Although this has been terrible news for many, some 'welcomed' the news and appreciated its closure. The Superstore in Chatham town centre is situated along The Brook, adjacent to the Market Hall car park and the Homeplus Furniture outlet store. The store has faced years of criticism, mainly due to its 'dark and dingy' appearance and the fact that it has been 'left to rot'. There were plans to redevelop the site but these seem to have been long forgotten, despite Tesco saying the plans were back on track in 2012 when £35,000 was spent making the shop and multi-storey car park more secure at night. Over the past several years, the store has also shrunk its marketing floorspace with many sections closed off which were later used for extra stock storage space. After serving the local area for over 30 years, the Chatham superstore will cease trading at 5pm this weekend. The store was expecting the closure due to 'failing profits', and councillors have expressed their doubts for another supermarket chain to take over the site.
Store manager Gerry Byrne said: “My colleagues and I are proud to have known and served so many great people from Chatham and the surrounding area. We're sad to be leaving, and we wish the local community all the best for the future.” What would you like to see replace the existing building? Do you think this decision was a step into the right direction, or was it another step towards decline for Chatham town centre? Share your thoughts in the comments section or e-mail us to: [email protected]. The Trafalgar Centre in Chatham town centre has stood empty and derelict since its closure in December 2013, following 'health and safety issues' within the building. Two years later, the vast area of retail space has been put on the market and new occupants are being sought. Black Stanniland, a retail property consultant company, has recently put the Trafalgar Centre on the market 'to let'. The 50,000 sq ft sales area is now available on terms of a sublease and has 'flexible uses' - this meaning that the property could be redeveloped for a variety of different uses (subject to planning). The former shopping centre was occupied by a number of independent businesses and traders, most of whom were first-time traders. Local people in Chatham have expressed their preferences for a Tesco Express/Metro store to open in the space of the former shopping centre, following the news of the closure of the Chatham Superstore. Many of the locals earmarked the Trafalgar Centre as the 'ideal location for a new foodstore', whilst regeneration officers at Medway Council voiced similar thoughts for the use of the site in previous years. However, if you have a buzzing idea for the property in Chatham High Street and you are interested in redeveloping it into something the wider community can benefit from, then please find further details on the Blackstannliand website or download this information leaflet.
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August 2023
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