Charity Forces Support Shop To Open At Former M&S Site
Charity Forces Support Shop
Charity Forces Support Shop To Open At Former M&S Site – This January saw Wokingham Borough Council hand over the keys for 28-38 Peach Street, the former Marks & Spencer’s unit to the national charity Forces Support who will be opening a temporary shop in Wokingham.
Forces Support is a national charity which provides practical support to the bereaved families of servicemen. It says it will give more information about its new shop when it confirms its opening date.
M&S Car Park
The former Marks & Spencer’s car park will continue to be managed by the borough council as part of its town centre parking portfolio.
“We secured the property in December and, since then, have continued to work up detailed feasibility studies to find the best option for this site,” said Cllr Stuart Munro, executive member for business and economic development and regeneration.
“It’s important that the unit continues to act as part of the local shopping high street as well as integrating with the rest of the regeneration projects and the new square at Peach Place.
“Understandably this process takes time and we felt it was important that the unit doesn’t sit empty until a decision is made. With this in mind we have agreed a temporary let of the site to the charity Forces Support whilst we look at longer term options for the space.
Charity Forces Support Shop Will Be Temporary
Cllr Munro continued: “Given the large size of the unit, and the need for any temporary tenant to remain flexible and free up the unit at short notice once a decision is made, our options for a tenant are obviously limited. In addition to taking much longer to agree terms, leaving the unit empty, a commercial tenant would need to invest significantly in fitting out the space and would require a much longer fixed letting period.
“Working with a charity like Forces Support is a great option as their format, which includes larger items like furniture, will make best use of the space whilst it is available. We hope people will welcome them and support them whilst they are in Wokingham as the work they do to help bereaved families is incredibly important.”
