New discount food store and drive-through restaurant at Broadbridge Heath proposed

West Sussex County Council is proposing to spend £15.47million building four new units on its highways depot next to Tesco and just off the old bypass.

The proposed retail park would consist of pre-let and ‘built to specification’ units.

In 2019 a viability study concluded a retail scheme would be the preferred option for regenerating the site and a soft marketing exercise attracted considerable interest from retailers.

A further marketing exercise resulted in four retailers being identified and these have since agreed heads of terms to enter into leases, subject to planning permission being secured and other conditions.

According to a report: “The units include a discount food store, a DIY store and garden centre, a drive-through takeaway restaurant and a coffee shop. The site will be landscaped to include appropriate parking facilities and two access points.”

The identities of the potential occupiers have not been made public, with sensitive commercial information contained in confidential reports.

The leases would provide a revenue income stream and a return on the county council’s investment.

The units would be designed and built to the individual retailers’ detailed specifications.

One retailer would build their own unit with the council completing ground works and making a capital contribution by way of a reverse premium.

The proposed scheme is due to be discussed by the county council’s performance and finance scrutiny committee next Wednesday January 20.

The retail park plans generated plenty of interest on the County Times’ Facebook page.

Top of the wish list for readers were McDonald’s and Aldi, with a number of requests for a Home Bargains or B&M. Other mentions including Burger King, Iceland, Primark and Farmfoods.

What retailer would you like to see come to Broadbridge Heath? Email the newsdesk.