Home Bargains set to move into The Peel Centre in Bracknell

A planning application has been lodged for Home Bargains to move into the vacant store Next used to occupy at The Peel Centre.

The applicants want to convert part of Unit 4a into space exclusively for the sale of food.

Documents attached to the application indicate Home Bargains want to use 30 per cent of the floor space at the 1,862 square metre site for this purpose.

But the proposal has irked the Bracknell Regeneration Partnership -- the group that delivered The Lexicon and the refurbishment of Princess Square.

READ MORE: The people who have appeared in court for causing trouble at McDonald's

Next at the Peel Centre

An objection letter sent on behalf of the BRP questioned why the food element of the Home Bargains store could not be split up and located elsewhere.

The letter suggested this part of the store could be accommodated at the former Argos unit in the town centre.

It goes on to say that the BRP is eager to secure a “national discount retailer” at Princess Square in order to “drive footfall” alongside the introduction of Sports Direct to the shopping centre.

In the letter, it is proposed that said discount retailer could occupy Units 23-26 at Princess Square, which occupy Poundland, WH Smith and Bracknell Shopmobility.

Princess Square has been refurbished and is home to a number of exciting projects

WH Smith’s lease will expire in August 2024 and Bracknell Shopmobility’s lease expires in June 2026.

BRP would “proactively seek to relocate Poundland, WH Smith and Shopmobility into other vacant units” should Home Bargains be minded to move to Princess Square.

READ MORE: Plans being made for new retailer at The Peel Centre

Responding to this objection, Home Bargains stated in their own letter than the food element of their store cannot be separated from the retail element, as it is an “integral” part of the brand’s offer.

And responding to the suggestion Home Bargains could move into the amalgamated stores in Princess Square, the chain’s letter read: “There seems to be no realism or certainty in terms of the format of that unit or ultimately its availability.

“Our requirement for a new store exists now and not in the future.

Food could start to be sold at the former Next store in The Peel Centre

“The units in Princess Square are already occupied and [...] cannot be guaranteed until circa mid-2026.

READ MORE: Home Bargains responds to rumours it is opening in Bracknell

“Such a delay cannot be considered reasonable given the pace of the retail sector and our desire to deliver investment and create job opportunities today.”

Home Bargains’ response went on to suggest the design of the amalgamated unit in Princess Square would not be suitable for their operations, stating that the unit at The Peel Centre is “the only one” that meet their needs in Bracknell.

The application, which was lodged in February 2021, is still pending consideration from Bracknell Forest Council.

Food could start to be sold at the former Next store in The Peel Centre

The retail row comes just months after the council announced its plans to transform The Peel Centre into a space for 900 new homes.

LandSec, the owners of The Peel Centre, told the News they had ‘no plans’ to redevelop the site, however.

Rob Francis, Bracknell resident, said: “Even though it does feel rather like it’s duplicating what The Range already offers, I think Home Bargains would still be a great addition to The Peel Centre.

“I was really surprised that BRP seems to be trying to over-complicate the application, by suggesting that Home Bargains wait for a hypothetical (and likely costly and disruptive) relocation of three other businesses in Princess Square.

“It seems very much like sour grapes, after The Peel Centre’s owners dismissed the suggestion that Bracknell Forest Council could demolish and build housing on the site as part of its local plan."

Would you like to see Home Bargains move to The Peel Centre? Let us know in the comments below.