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Retailers beat a path to Woolies' old store door
SEVERAL high street retailers have said they're interested in letting out part of the old Woolworths store in Fareham.
Yesterday, The News revealed that clothes chain Next will takeover half of the site at Fareham Shopping Centre.
But the size of the store leaves room for another retailer to open up shop.
Fareham Borough Council leader Sean Woodward said there was a great deal of interest in the other half of the unit, but he was keeping tight-lipped over which retailers they are.
'There is a lot of interest in the other unit. It's a good location and it's a good-size site,' he said.
'There are a number of high calibre stores interested in letting the unit. Next is the first one to officially sign up.
He went on: 'It's important we have high street shops in our shopping centre. We don't want empty units there.
'It's obvious that some shops will close down but we don't want long-term gaps.
'I'm hoping that the other half of the unit gets let as soon as possible.'
Meanwhile, shoppers in Fareham have given their re-
action to the news that Next will open in the shopping centre later in the year.
Roni Duck, 42, from Gosport Road, Fareham, said: 'I would like there to be a Next. It is a regular retailer that I use. It will attract me to use the shopping centre more. The other half should be used as a men's shop.'
But Ben Green, 24, from Leigh Road, Fareham, said: 'I don't use Next, it is more for men over 30.
'Fareham Shopping Centre is a disappointment for men my age, I prefer to use the internet.'
The former Woolworths store has been empty since the national chain was closed down six months ago.
Once the deal has been finalised and legal documents signed, it is anticipated the new Next store will open in Fareham in time for next Christmas.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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