Future of Wickes store in doubt

Home improvement retailer Wickes could be facing closure if proposals for a food outlet on the site are given the go-ahead.

Land-owner LondonMetric has submitted a planning application to extent the commercial unit "to facilitate its use as a Class E(a) food store".

An earlier planning applicaton to subdivide the Matalan in two and open a food store was approved in March. However, the land-owner says that this will not be implemented if the new application to replace Wickes is approved.

Store Manager Barri Barnes has written a letter to customers asking them to complete a feedback form opposing the threatened closure, which will then be shared with the local council.

I am writing to inform you that our Hertford store is currently at risk of closure due to a planning application submitted by the landowner. This application proposes a change of use for the site, which would allow a foodstore to operate from the premises in future.

While we are able to continue trading from this location until the end of 2025, our future beyond that will depend on the outcome of this planning decision.

The potential closure of Wickes, alongside the upcoming closure of the B&Q store in Welwyn Garden City, would present a significant challenge for the local community. The loss of these key DIY stores would create a void, leaving both individial customers and local businesses without convenient access to the essential DIY supplies and expertise they depend on.

We need your support to help us save our store. We encourage you to fill in a feedback form in-store today. Your feedback will be shared with the local council, showing the strong support within the community to keep our store open and maintain the vital services we provide.

It is crucial that we voice our objections to the proposed change of use for the site, as the impact on the community could be substantial.

Thank you for standing with us during this critical time. Your support means everything to us.

As of Saturday (7th September), 46 public objections had been submitted to the council, along with concerns from Hertford Town Council and Hertford Civic Society. Most of the comments relate to the principle of a food store in the location, concerns regarding access, and concerns in relation to car parking.

The county council highways authority initially responded that they had no objection to the plans, but have since revised their position, saying "There is insufficient information supplied with this application to enable the Highway Authority to reach a recommendation. In the absence of the necessary information, the Highway Authority recommends refusal due to doubt over possible implications for the free, safe and sustainable flow of public highway users."

The response continues: "Ware Road is a busy main distributor principle A road, and traffic congestion on this part of Hertford’s road network is well documented. The predicted increase in vehicle trip rates along with a reduction to on-site car parking is therefore far from ideal. With this in mind, it is justified to expect measures to help mitigate this impact."

"Our current position on this planning application is to recommend refusal due to insufficient information and the resulting possible implications for the free, safe and sustainable flow of public highway users. We would be happy to discuss ways forward with the applicant directly to see if the objection can be overcome."

Planning permission allowing a food store on the site has already been granted.

The outlet was previous occupied by Focus DIY, who went in to administration in 2011, with Wickes eventually buying up a number of the stores, including Hertford.

Earlier this year, builders' merchant Jewson's closed their outlet in John Tate Road.

The company has closed a number of branches after being purchased by Danish building materials retailer Stark Group in 2022.

Updated 9/9/24 to include updated response from Hertfordshire County Council.