NEW superstore The Range is hoping to open in the Kingfisher Shopping Centre in time for Easter.
Workers are on site now fitting out the former BHS outlet to the new requirements which will see the business covering some 45,000sq ft over two floors.
In addition the shop as also taken over the empty unit next door to further expand its offering, said centre manager Ken Williams.
“All things being well they want to open at Easter but it’s a very tight schedule and if not it will be late April, early May time,” he said.
Home and garden superstore The Range will stock more than 65,000 products across 16 different departments, from homewares and furniture, through to DIY and art supplies.
A further boost to the centre will be the grand opening of 360 Play next Saturday, March 4, just off Worcester Square.
The news comes as the Kingfisher continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience despite the closure of a number of units and a nationwide revaluation of business rates coming in April.
“Particularly where we have vacant lots, in a lot of cases business rates have actually fallen,” said Mr Williams.
The result is that interest in the destination shopping centre remains high amongst retailers.
“We have obviously received more units back in the Walford Walk area but there is no specific for that; Poundland, with another store, was obviously consolidating, while with Menkind we were quite fortunate for them to see 2016 through,” said Mr Williams.
And he remains upbeat: “It’s been a busy week for letting interest, we’ve had calls regarding letting three units, and a second viewing and I’d much be wrestling with these than chasing business.”
