MATALAN has restated that it is "not certain" it will be vacating its St Helens premises next year after a planning application for the site submitted by Home Bargains was approved.

In February, the Star reported after the application had been sent to St Helens Council seeking permission to refurbish the store, at Watts Clift Way, off Linkway East.

The plans, submitted by TJ Morris, owner of Home Bargains, sought permission for refurbishment works at the premises, and stated that fashion retailer Matalan will leave the unit in March 2025.

However, when asked about this in February, Matalan said this is "not certain" adding it "will be seeking a new lease from the landlord".

What Matalan has said

In a statement, a Matalan spokesperson said: “It is not certain that we will be vacating our site in St Helens in March 2025, as whilst the current lease for the store ends in March 2025, we will be seeking a new lease from the landlord.

"We thoroughly enjoy being part of the local community in St Helens and in the event that the lease is not renewed, will be evaluating potential relocation opportunities within the local area."

The planning application by Home Bargains has since been granted approval by council planners. 

When asked by the Star for an update on the situation in the wake of this, a Matalan spokesperson said that the retailer's initial statement still stands.

What the planning application said

The proposals submitted by Home Bargains include for the creation of a new glazed shopfront and entrance feature, an external display area and secure compound, a sprinkler tank and pump house, forklift truck shed, the relocation of an external plant area, and reconfiguration of the site car park including resurfacing, and associated works.

A cover letter in the plans stated: "The application site is a well-established retail destination at the edge of St Helens town centre, currently occupied by Matalan.

"Matalan have long traded from the site, however will be vacating the site in March 2025.

"The enclosed application looks to bring forward modest refurbishment works to enable the store to be immediately reoccupied by the national variety discounter, Home Bargains (HB), the trading name of TJM.

"This application comprises a considered package of works that will refurbish the unit to suit the trading requirement of the incoming national discount retailer."

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In the application, Home Bargains stated that the premises would offer a "larger, more commercially attractive unit" than its current nearby store at St Helens Retail Park.

It adds: "The proposed works will allow the building to be refurbished to a high standard, in order for HB to occupy the unit.

"With an existing store on the adjacent St Helens Retail Park, the site presents an opportunity to consolidate their existing retail offering and occupy a larger, more commercially attractive unit which better aligns with their up-to-date trading format.

"The HB (Home Bargains) store on Linkway West will continue trading."

The plans add: "With regard to parking, there will be a total reduction of 12 parking spaces, from 130. to 118."

Plans state the "entire car park will be resurfaced" adding while "there is an overall reduction in car parking, there is an uplift of four Parent and Child bays; two additional Electric Vehicle charging bays; and the provision of three staff parking spaces within the service yard to the rear.

"There is an overall reduction of just one disabled parking bay, owing to their relocation adjacent to the new customer entrance and associated external paving".

Recommending approval of the application, case officer Natasha Ayres said it complied with planning policy and "would have no severe impacts upon highway safety".