Major British fashion and homeware retailer given go-ahead for Crewe retail park
A major British fashion and homeware retailer will be officially opening in Crewe - following a decision made by Cheshire East Council.
Matalan was approved for Crewe's Grand Junction Retail Park on Wednesday 29 March - after Cheshire East gave the green light to additional floorspace proposals.
The approval gives permission to the creation of a mezzanine floor (measuring 484sqm) within the existing retail unit.
Matalan will take the unit previously occupied by Harvey's Furniture - which officially went into administration in 2020.
Currently, the closest Matalan store to Crewe is Woodland Street, Stoke-on-Trent - 12 miles away.
A sequential test was carried out to consider potential town centre units Matalan could consider opening in - including M&S and the Royal Arcade.
The test determined there were no current locations which would 'meet the applicant's needs.'
A Cheshire East planning officer was overall satisfied with Matalan's proposals - believing it would bring 'increased employment and wages in Crewe.'
Their statement read: "The principle of development is acceptable and the sequential test has been met.
"The design of the proposed development is considered to be acceptable and there would be no amenity issues.
"The proposed development is also considered to be acceptable in terms of its highway implications.
"Finally, the development would bring economic benefits in terms of increased employment and wages in Crewe.
"The benefits of this scheme outweigh any harm and as a result the development represents sustainable development."
Matalan was founded by John Hargreaves in 1985 - named after his two sons Matt and Alan.
As of March 2023, the British fashion and homeware retailer has 233 UK stores.
Matalan's mezzanine floor approval came six months after its illuminated signage proposals were accepted for Grand Junction Retail Park.
Last week (March 24), PureGym was given the green light for a 24-hour facility on Grand Junction Retail Park in an adjacent unit.
Crewe Nub News has contacted Matalan for comment on securing planning approval.
READ MORE: Network Rail purchase key plot of Crewe real estate.
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