Retail expert Graham Soult looks at the debate surrounding Spalding’s Coney store ahead of crunch South Holland District Council debate

A retail expert has looked at the debate surrounding a vacant town centre department store ahead of a key debate which will decide the future use of this site.

South Holland District Council’s planning committee has been recommended to refuse The Lighthouse Pentecostal Church’s bid to turn the former Coney’s store in Spalding into a community hub at a meeting tonight (Wednesday, July 17).

Graham Soult, who has family connections to this area, has worked with the Government-established High Street Task Force which looks at the challenges faced by town centres across the country - and he has previously stated that Spalding has a lot going for it.

He said: “Having worked with towns, councils and local groups all around the country, I can easily see why the proposals for the iconic Hills building have provoked strong opinions on both sides.

“Ideally, I’m sure we would all like a building of this size and importance to remain in retail use, and would wish all possible avenues to be explored. The example of Beales – now The Original Factory Shop and Furniture Warehouse – shows that it can be possible to find new retail occupants for vacant units even after several years empty.

“However, as I have often argued before, high streets like Spalding ARE becoming more diverse and mixed use, and there is often merit in creating non-retail uses that serve the community and encourage visitors into the town centre – like young people – who may not otherwise feel the town has much to offer them.

“So, the question is, do you wait for a potential retail use that might never come, or support something that isn’t retail, but that will bring life and footfall to a vacant unit now? There is no definitive answer, so it is up to the people of Spalding to decide what they think will be most beneficial to their community.”

The church want to change the use of the former Hills store from retail to mixed use, comprising of ancillary retail, cafe, play space, offices, church, community meeting place and food bank.

This application was due to be discussed at the June planning committee meeting but was pulled last minute due to ‘material considerations’ but is back on the agenda tonight

Officers have again recommended that the application be turned down because they say the proposal would affect the ‘vitality and viability’ of the town centre.

In a report to tonight’s meeting, officers say the building has been ‘inaccurately’ marketted because a brouchure made mention of a A3/A5 use - which relates to takeaways and restaurants.

Where do you stand on this? Should the application be granted or refused? Post a comment below…