Nusrat Ghani, Conservative MP for Wealden, has attended a public consultation on the new Marks & Spencer and Home Bargains stores hoping to open in 2022.
M&S and Home Bargains are hoping to open new stores just outside Uckfield on the Ashdown Business Park at Maresfield. The land has been secured by Bride Hall Developments and they have agreed terms with both companies. Bride Hall Developments held a public consultation in Uckfield Civic Centre last week with representatives from M&S, Home Bargains and Bride Hall on hand to discuss the proposals.
For both companies this would be their first store in Wealden, bringing at least 125 new job opportunities to the Uckfield area.
The formal pre-application has been submitted to East Sussex Highways and Wealden District Council It is anticipated that if the formal planning permission is not delayed, work could start on site by the end of the year with a view to having the M&S supermarket open towards the end of 2022.
Nusrat Ghani said: “This is fantastic news for residents of Uckfield and surrounding villages. It would be great to have both Marks & Spencer and Home Bargains stores in Wealden to spare local residents lengthy travel to neighbouring towns.
It is anticipated that M&S will create some 50 jobs and Home Bargains 70 full and part-time jobs, which is an excellent boost to much-needed part-time and full time positions.
"The site will be easily accessible with public transport links incorporated into the plans, helping to boost footfall and our local economy. I will be following the progress of this consultation closely and I hope we can welcome both brands to Uckfield next year.”
