by the Newbury Weekly News since 1867
by the Newbury Weekly News since 1867
Home News Article
The future of Newbury’s current New Look store appears uncertain – amid plans by another clothing retailer to put signs above its building.
Frasers Group, which owns brands including House of Fraser, Game, Sofa.com and Flannels, has submitted a planning application to West Berkshire Council for new signs it says it wants to put above the unit, which is currently occupied by New Look in the Parkway Shopping centre.
According to the planning application, available to view online, the proposed illuminated signs would be for a Sports Direct shop.
A site plan for the area, submitted with the application, shows a map of the shopping precinct and wider town centre with the words ‘New Sports Direct shop unit’ over the buildings where New Look is currently based.
While New Look in Newbury currently remains open, the fashion retailer – which has been on UK high streets since the late 1960s – is understood to be experiencing financial challenges with dozens of its stores in the UK and Ireland rumoured to be earmarked for closure by the end of the year.
Sports Direct already runs one branch in the town – two miles away at Newbury Retail Park.
It remains unclear whether its intention to move into Parkway Shopping means the sports fashion firm will run two branches in Newbury or whether the branch in the retail park is to relocate.
Parkway Shopping, New Look and Frasers Group have all been approached for comment.
Subscribe now