With rumours circulating the town since Tesco announced they were to vacate the Tesco Metro site, other larger retailers in the town have given their feedback.
Overall the signs are good with 6 of the stores we contacted saying they had no plans to leave Andover – the other store had not responded at the time of publication.
The town is attracting smaller traders as well with Upcycled having just opened in the High Street, Lone Fairy Jewellery opening later this month and Naturally Health to re-open around the same time.
We have also seen Dorthe Thomas Spa and Oaktree Business Management expand and move into Bridge Street whilst the original Pop Up Shop in Bridge Street is due to be taken over in the near future.
Retailer Responses
Boots
A spokesperson for Boots, who have a store in the High Street and Chantry Centre, said “I can confirm that there are currently no plans to close any of our stores in Andover.”
Waitrose
A spokesperson for Waitrose said “I can confirm that there is currently no information I have found or that our management team here are aware of, to suggest the Andover store will be closing.”
Argos
No response received at time of publication.
Marks and Spencer
A spokesperson for Marks and Spencer said “There are no plans to vacate the Andover store”.
Poundland
“I can confirm that Poundland will remain in Andover” said a spokesperson for the company.
New Look
A New Look Spokesperson confirmed their position and said “New Look are staying in Andover and the store has recently received a refit.”
Waterstones
James Daunt, Managing Director of Waterstones was also committed saying “We intend to stay! In 2010 and then particularly in 2011 we had a difficult time but things have much improved since then, and we made good progress in 2013 so I have no concern about our continued presence in Andover.”
This is really encouraging and positive news and a vote of confidence from national retailers in Andover. It is sad that Tesco are deciding not to renew the lease on their Chantry Centre store but personally I think it’s a good thing, it leaves one of the largest stores in Andover vacant and is a rare opportunity to encourage a big name store into town; it would even make a great store for M & S and over two floors as well. As a regular user of our Waterstones branch in the Chantry Centre, I am particularly pleased to hear they are committed to staying. It’s a lovely little branch with friendly welcoming staff and a surprising range of books. A town without a book shop would be very sad! Come on everyone let’s support Andover and stop moaning about what we don’t have and think more about what we do have.
I quite agree! If you include the out of town stores and garden centres and remember to check out the side streets and maybe even an industrial estate retailer you will find everything you could ever need is right here in and around Andover and so much more fun to locate something in person with everyone’s help and advice than lonely hours on the internet!