Discount retailer Home Bargains will be able to move from its small store on Eccles precinct into a much larger space at the West One Retail Park, after plans were approved by Salford City Council this week.
Liverpool-headquartered TJ Morris Ltd, which trades as Home Bargains, applied for a change of use for two units at the shopping mall on the outskirts of Eccles town centre.
Deputy City Mayor Councillor David Lancaster said: “Home Bargains were keen to remain in Eccles but have outgrown their town centre store, which is one of the smallest in their portfolio.
“They looked for another town centre site but sadly, nothing was available to suit their needs.
“West One, which has been on the up since The Range moved in last year, will give Home Bargains the space to expand their business.
Hopes were dashed in 2013 for a planned regeneration for the tired shopping precinct when Tesco pulled out of a deal with PBN Holdings to build a £30m supermarket at West One.
But homeware giant The Range’s move to a 60,000sq ft store in its place has revitalised plans to boost West One’s credentials.
In April work was completed on a £185,000 pedestrian walkway to better link West One with Eccles town centre.
Home Bargains has over 370 stores throughout the UK and has already announced plans to expand to over 700 within the next five years.
The outlet on Eccles precinct is one of its longest-established, but also one of its smallest.
It has two larger stores in the city: at Salford Shopping City and on the Regent Road Retail Park near Ordsall.
The move to West One will mean the Eccles precinct store will close.
Cllr Lancaster added: “I’m confident that the precinct will find new tenants to replace Home Bargains in the town centre, given the level of investment going into Eccles at present, with plans for a new hotel, new flats and shops on John William St car park and the support of the town team in encouraging local people to make full use of their local shops and facilities.”
Background image by Bernard John Hunter/Flickr
