Brentford Looks Set to Get a Second Supermarket
Tenant reportedly found for former Morrisons site
Morrisons moving out of its former premises this September
December 22, 2023
Having feared for a while that they may be without a supermarket, Brentford residents could be ending up with two.
Local ward councillor, Guy Lambert, has said that he has been told that a new tenant is set to move into the former Morrisons site next February.
He received the information during the recent Brentford and Syon Area Forum. Cllr Lambert said, “The landlord of the former Morrisons store, L&Q, have concluded their negotiations with a new tenant. They expect to hand over the keys in February and it will be a retailer. I cannot reveal who it is, but I believe it will be a very welcome addition to Brentford.”
It is not clear at this stage whether the arrangement is for a temporary occupation of the existing site ahead of the commencement of the planned redevelopment or if this indicates that proposals for blocks of flats over the site are being shelved.
There has already been speculation as to which retailer will be taking up the site with Lidl and Aldi being the most widely tipped but there is nothing at this stage to indicate the identity of the new tenant.
Morrisons vacated the site at 228-246 High Street this September for a new location further up the road in the Brentford Project development.
The supermarket chain left the building after planning permission had been obtained. In 2018, Essential Living was given permission to demolish the foodstore and construct 221 private rented sector apartments. L&Q subsequently bought the site for a reported £28 million and made some changes to the original design (P/2019/2892) which were cleared by Hounslow Council’s planning committee in July 2020. The new designs included an affordable component in the 215 with the units on average larger.
The new building approved over the former Morrisons store. Picture: L&Q
While the redevelopment of the building was being proposed, there were concerns that the area would be left with any supermarket. In the event Morrisons closed the old store on the same day they opened the new one.
There has been a mixed response to the new venue with some long-term customers saying that prices have risen beyond what should have been expected due to inflation and a consistent stream of complaints that customers who have correctly validated their parking have nevertheless been fined.
The vista towards St. Paul's Church would be opened up. Picture: L&Q
The L&Q plan for the former site would add space for shops café and bars as well as retain the 3,502 sq m of the existing supermarket with 90 car parking spaces. The plan would see two blocks split by a vista towards St. Paul’s Church with the retail space divided between the two.
A spokesperson for L&Q said they were unable to confirm whether or not a new tenant had been found for the site but that was because the relevant team members were not available to speak to.
They continued, "I can confirm that we have been in conversation with local councillors and stakeholders in the local community regarding the possibility of finding a temporary use for the Morrisons site. We hope this news to be welcome by the local community and neighbouring residents, as it is a testament to the commitment of L&Q to the development of this site and also to ensuring that the site does not stay empty while development works are happening."
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