New Matalan store set to open in Fareham this month

The retailer is set to open the outlet in Collingwood Retail Park on March 31 at 8am

The 24,699 sq ft shop will be officially opened by the mayor, Councillor Mike Ford.

Mike Jeans, retail director for Matalan, said: ‘We’re thrilled to be expanding our business and opening up a store in Fareham.

‘The new store will not only bring employment to the area, but will provide an easy and enjoyable shopping experience for customers, offering high-quality and affordable products from fashion through to homeware, which we have been doing over the past 30 years.’

Store manager Alison Patton said: ‘We’re looking forward to the store opening later this month.

‘We feel that Matalan will be a great addition to the retail park and we look forward to welcoming customers to the store.’

Go Bowling closed in May last year after it received no interest from other leisure companies to take over the unit.

A campaign was begun by those who regularly used the bowling alley to stop the closure, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

The alley was the only one in Gosport and Fareham, with the nearest one now at Gunwharf Quays.

News of the Matalan planning approval broke in December, which caused more than 200 people to submit objection letters against the application – but chairman of the planning committee Councillor Nick Walker said there was no reason for the council to reject the plan.

He said: ‘Although there was a lot of public protest about the loss of the bowling alley, that is not something we could have an effect on.

‘The comment I made in the meeting was that people should use it or lose it.’