Nearly a year after plans were first unveiled — and months after it was expected to open — what is happening with Tesco’s next Isle of Wight branch?
In July last year, the national supermarket chain announced plans to fill a gap on Newport High Street — taking over the former Laura Ashley store.
The Isle of Wight council granted a licence for the store to sell alcohol and late-night food from 6am to midnight, seven days a week.
Revised plans submitted
Following the approval of the licence, it was hoped the shop — which would be the supermarket’s sixth on the Island — would be open by Easter 2023.
With Easter now long gone, and no sign of work in the store, revised plans have been submitted to the council for the look of the store.
Window vinyls reduced
Previous plans were for images and advertisement vinyls in most windows but they have been cut back.
More windows have been added around the back of the store, which fronts St Thomas’ Square.
The Isle of Wight council would need to approve the plans before work could start, or the store opened.
Tesco declined to comment on the plans.
The H. Samuel mystery
There is still an unanswered question about the future of the neighbouring store H. Samuel, as it is proposed the supermarket will take over the jewellers unit as well.
Tesco is looking to take over 35 and 36 High Street and in documents submitted to the authority called the jeweller’s unit ‘formerly used’.
Shop’s future unconfirmed
The store is still open, but a spokesperson for H. Samuel did not confirm the shop’s future, instead saying they were closely monitoring the situation.
The question was initially asked in August and when approached again for comment this week, the spokesperson said their statement still stands.
The spokesperson said,
“Our stores remain central to our long-term growth strategy and we continue to invest in them, ensuring they are in locations where they best serve our customers, which includes the Isle of Wight, keeping in step with their demands, including the many customers who start their shopping journey online.”
If the plans are approved, the two stores could be joined together with internal partitions removed to create an open floor area.
View the plans
You can view the plans, 22/01244/ADV, on the council’s planning register. The public consultation runs until 30th June.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
