Council insists Crawley town centre has 'real momentum' after retailer's closure sparks concerns

The world's largest sporting goods retailer is due to close its Queens Square store on July 24, ending a decade in Crawley. A closing down sale is currently underway.

The closure follows the recent departure of several other town centre retailers, including Millie's Cookies & Baskin-Robbins, Mr Simms sweet shop and the iStore, in the County Mall.

Although new businesses have opened in the town centre, including Mexican street food restaurant Plan Burrito, and health food retailer Grape Tree – which replaced Mr Simms.

The announcement of Decathlon’s departure prompted a wave of reaction on social media, with some residents describing it as another blow for the town centre.

Observer reader Mon Mon wrote: "Crawley is becoming a ghost town…"

Mark Higgins added: "Be nothing left in Crawley except coffee shops, barbers and vape shops."

Robert J Meldrum commented: "Very, very, very sad. It was the kind of shop Crawley needed. Why not concentrate on the quality again instead of the quantity?"

Responding to the reaction, Crawley Borough Council said the closure was a ‘commercial decision taken by an individual retailer’, and should be viewed against the wider challenges facing retailers across the UK.

The local authority said Decathlon had experienced financial challenges in recent years, and had previously closed several stores.

It added that County Mall continues to perform well, with only a small number of vacant units. The council highlighted recent arrivals including Søstrene Grene and Muffin Break as evidence that retailers are still investing in Crawley.

The authority also pointed to the ongoing Station Gateway regeneration scheme, which is transforming public spaces around The Martlets, Haslett Avenue West, Friary Way and the bus station. While some residents say the works have created an eyesore, access to businesses – including County Mall – has been maintained throughout the project.

The leader of Crawley Borough Council, Michael Jones, said: "Decathlon's closure is disappointing, but Crawley town centre has real momentum and a strong future.

"The Queensway Stores building, which has accommodated Decathlon UK, is specifically identified in our Town Centre East Regeneration Plan, and the council has already arranged discussions with the landlord about its future.

"We want to see that site play an exciting role as part of our new Town Centre East Regeneration Plan and wider town centre regeneration."

He added that with major investment already underway and public consultations open on the Town Centre East Regeneration Plan and the Crawley 2040 Economic Vision and Growth Plan, it was an ‘important moment for residents, businesses and partners to help shape the future of the town centre and Crawley's wider economy’.

The council said nearly £30 million has been invested in the town centre since 2016 and highlighted Crawley's wider economic strengths, including around 97,000 jobs in the borough and the opportunities expected from the planned expansion of Gatwick Airport.

The closure had also drawn criticism from Conservative group leader councillor Duncan Crow, who described Decathlon's departure as a ‘huge loss’ for Crawley.

Decathlon, founded in France in 1976, operates more than 1,900 stores across 82 countries and regions. The Crawley branch has served shoppers for around ten years, selling sportswear, cycling equipment, camping gear and fitness products.