BREAKING NEWS: Co-op scraps plans for new East Wittering supermarket

A SUPERMARKET firm has pulled out of knocking down the Royal Oak pub in East Wittering to build a new store, saying it was ‘no longer economically viable’.
Villagers outside the Royal Oak Pub in East Wittering, protesting against tehe Co-op's plans for a bigger store on the site ENGSUS00120130104143316Villagers outside the Royal Oak Pub in East Wittering, protesting against tehe Co-op's plans for a bigger store on the site ENGSUS00120130104143316
Villagers outside the Royal Oak Pub in East Wittering, protesting against tehe Co-op's plans for a bigger store on the site ENGSUS00120130104143316

The Southern Co-operative today (June 1) announced it would no longer be building the planned supermarket in Stocks Lane, despite going through a lengthy planning application process in the past couple of years.

The Royal Oak pub itself closed after the Co-op gained planning permission to demolish it and rebuild a supermarket on the site, despite many protests from residents to save it.

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“Since purchasing the Stocks Lane site in East Wittering in summer, 2012, with a view to relocating our existing store, the retail landscape has changed significantly and many major retailers are reviewing high capital expenditure projects.,” said the Co-op in a statement today.

The Royal Oak, East Wittering.


Photo by Louise Adams C130058-1 Chi Royal Oak ENGSUS00120130115151515The Royal Oak, East Wittering.


Photo by Louise Adams C130058-1 Chi Royal Oak ENGSUS00120130115151515
The Royal Oak, East Wittering. Photo by Louise Adams C130058-1 Chi Royal Oak ENGSUS00120130115151515

It has also confirmed it does not intend to sell the site.

“In an increasingly competitive marketplace, along with changes to people’s shopping habits, which are favouring smaller format stores, the planned new store development on Stocks Lane is no longer economically viable,” the company added.

“We remain committed to offering our customers in East Wittering the very best service. To that end, we will be looking to improve the fresh and

local offer in our Cakeham Road store, and make further physical enhancements to improve the overall customer experience. To avoid any impact on peak trading, these will be implemented after the summer season.”

The company said it would now look at ‘alternative uses to realise the value of the Stocks Lane site for our members’.