| Topic: | Re:Waitrose planning to expand store BUT wants to remove Lacy Rd entrance! | |
| Posted by: | Richard Hodges | |
| Date/Time: | 24/02/11 11:46:00 |
| The plan has them taking over the three Lacy Road units (behind the fish & meat counter), and gaining the corridor (behind the "Coke & Cereals" wall). The plans indicate that the exterior doors of the corridor would be retained as a fire exit, now inside the store. The application certainly has an interesting interpretation of the phrase "change of use". The loss of the three stores might be considered a commercial decision for Waitrose and the owners of the Exchange. I don't use those stores, so can't really comment. But I do know that the corridor is remarkably busy, as a short cut for the people of West Putney (I'll use it on the way back from the butchers). I also remember that in the December snow, no-one cleared the pavement on Lacy Road by the main entrance - that spot became incredibly icy and dangerous. The corridor significantly relieves the pinch point there. Even though I use it just occasionally, I think it offers more value as an entrance than for a marginal (and I'm not convinced it would be well used) extension to the Waitrose store. |