South Holland District Council approves revamp of former Spalding Wilko store in Holland Market

Plans to revamp the former Wilko store in Spalding to make the site ready for a new tenant have been given the go ahead.

The hardware retailer departed its unit in Holland Market in September 2023 after a bid to rescue the firm failed.

Holland Market owners Schroder Real Estate Investment Management Ltd applied to South Holland District Council to alter the exterior of the unit to ‘facilitate the new incoming tenants store requirements’.

There has been no public confirmation of a likely new occupant for the unit, which is between Sainsbury’s and Halfords.

The cosmetic changes include replacing one of the doors with a window display, moving windows and replacing the roller shutter with a double steel door set.

South Holland District Council’s planning officers ruled that the scheme should be passed.

A decision noticed published to accompany the decision stated: “While the loss of the window does create a slightly less active frontage, it would not be to the significant detriment of the unit or wider area.

“The resultant appearance would still be broadly consistent with the character of the area and would not cause any significant harm to the locale. The use of masonry to match helps to reduce the visual impact of the development.”