Tesco Expansion Turned Down, More Retail Units To Come?

During a chaotic December, you may have missed the news that Tesco have officially withdrawn their application to extend their store by 50%. This followed a report which indicated that Tesco's plans would likely have a detrimental impact on Burgess Hill Town Centre.

The cynics among us may think it could be more a case of New River Retail and MSDC being told by Sainsbury that they won't come to Burgess Hill Town Centre if they have to compete with an even bigger Tesco. Thus a report is produced to essentially tell Tesco NO! A good 18 months after the plans were first revealed.

A week later the local newspapers reported that developers Location 3 Properties have "Entered into conditional contracts to acquire the freehold and long leasehold interests on a site fronting Jane Murray Way, in Burgess Hill.


Two major retails have been penciled in to occupy the 55,000 sq ft space with Location 3 properties claiming to have submitted a planning application to Mid Sussex District Council in November 2011. A browse through the MSDC planning portal website however shows no search results for the application. If an application has been submitted and gets approval, around 100 new jobs would be created.



It seems a DIY store is a certainty to be built, along with hopefully a good electrial superstore. If not, a Toys 'R' Us would go down a treat!

In your author's humble opinion, all of this seems very convenient with the timings, Tesco doesn't get its extension which would have included a bigger offering of electrial items, and then a week later a company announces that it will be bringing in some retail units essentially next door, which could very well include electricals. Hmmmmmm.

What do you think readers?