Tesco has revealed plans to open a new branch in Brentwood high street
It is planning to open a store in the former Dorothy Perkins shop
Last updated 9th Jan 2022
The supermarket giant is planning to open a store in the former Dorothy Perkins shop in the middle of the street opposite the Bay Tree centre.
A new planning application is not necessarily required but Tesco has applied for a new premises licence to Brentwood Borough Council for the right to sell alcohol Monday to Sunday between 6am and 12 midnight.
Dorothy Perkins permanently shut its doors after all the other Arcadia brands – including Wallis, Burton and Topshop became an online-only brand.
It would be the fourth Tesco in Brentwood – with other outlets in Warley, Hutton and London Road already operating.
The high street already has a nearby Iceland and Marks & Spencer. Sainsbury’s has a large store just yards away to the rear in William Hunter Way.
The decision from Tesco comes amid heightened awareness that high streets need more support – over 240 businesses, speakers and partners attended Essex County Council’s first ever High Street Business Summit, to discuss the future proofing of high streets and town centres in October.
Organised by Essex County Council, with support from district and borough partners, the High Street Business Summit, which took place at Hylands House in Chelmsford, explored key topics, including investment and challenges for businesses.
Kaye Thurgood, owner of Chelmsford card and gift shop, Sincerely Yours, said: “It is outstanding that Essex County Council have invited local businesses to the High Street Business Summit, placing the spotlight on our local retailers. It has been a fantastic opportunity to listen to experts and feel the support for retailers- with an insight into consumer needs, moving forward.”
Cllr Lesley Wagland, Cabinet Member for Economic Renewal, Infrastructure and Planning, attended the summit, and said: “It was great to see so many businesses, industry experts and local authorities come together at Hylands House with a shared goal of the future of the Essex economy.
“It provided us, as a county council, with an understanding of the full scale of the challenges of retailers themselves, in the current climate and I’m looking forward to working with them to support them in the future.”