Signage installed for brand new Next store with Costa Coffee in Chichester
Excitement is building in Chichester as Next prepares to return to the city – but there are some reservations about the impact it will have on retail park traffic.
Next closed its former Chichester store, in East Street, in October 2021. This came only a year after the major retailer closed its separate menswear shop, also in East Street, and added the range to its flagship store in the Corn Exchange.
The clothing, footwear, and home products retailer currently has eight open stores in the county, including two in Crawley – in the County Mall and County Oak.
Its other stores are based at Bognor Regis (Arun Retail Park); Rustington (Manor Retail Park); Shoreham (Holmbush Centre); Brighton (Churchill Square); Haywards Heath (Orchard Shopping Centre) and Horsham (Swan Walk).
Now, Next is preparing to open at the Portfield Retail Park, alongside an in-store Costa Coffee café. Sussex World is awaiting confirmation if it will be a clothing or homeware store.
A spokesperson for the retail chain said: “We can confirm that there will be a new Next store opening in Chichester.”
A Costa Coffee spokesperson added: “We’re excited to open a brand new Costa Coffee store in Next, Portfield Retail Park, Chichester, this summer.”
A photo taken on Thursday, May 14 shows signage has been installed, with anticipation growing locally.
However, some people fear the impact it will have on traffic in the area.
Observer reader David Lainchbury wrote: “Good luck getting out of the car park on a busy weekend – take a packed lunch with you!”
Fabienne Jeanine commented: “I am fortunate enough to be able to walk to this retail park, but for those that have to drive and use the car park, good luck!
"No doubt having a Next will be a great addition, just not sure the positioning will work. It is a very pokey part of the car park and often chaos getting in and out. Hopefully, it will have late opening hours therefore allowing people to go when less busy in the car park.”
Richard Woolston is among those looking forward to seeing the new store open.
He said: “All these negative comments about Next and Costa Coffee opening. We should be celebrating that Next is coming back to Chichester and that it’s creating jobs in the process.”
Sabrina Sabrina agreed. She said: “Exactly! I’m excited about Next.”
Sandra Hebditch also described it as ‘a great addition to the retail park’.
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