B&M applies to take on former MFI unit in Loughborough

Discount retail giant B&M has been given planning permission to open a store in Loughborough - and has this week applied for its premises licence.

The company wants to occupy the former MFI unit on the Willowbrook Retail Park off Derby Road, and has this week applied to Charnwood Borough Council for a premises licence.

The site has been vacant since 2008 when MFI went into administration.

The licence application is seeking permission to sell alcohol and to approve opening hours of 8am-10pm.

An application to increase the variety of goods sold in the unit has already been given approval by Charnwood Borough Council.

The news come just weeks after plans to bring a new Home Bargains store to the site currently occupied by Staples were revealed.

The Planning Statement submitted with the B&M application says: “The unit has remained vacant since the recession despite active marketing.

“Since the recession there has been an emergence of ‘discounters’ that sell a range of comparison, seasonal and non perishable goods.

“The B&M business model is based on buying clearance and end-of-line products in order to keep costs down.

“These are passed onto the consumer. Therefore they provide a wider choice in the market.

“It has been shown that the town suffers from some of the highest deprivation within Leicestershire and this form of development would assist in addressing the issues affecting those neighbourhoods.

“In addition it would create up to 30 full time employment opportunities.”

The closest existing B&M store to Loughborough is currently based in Coalville.

“B&M is a discount retail business that has grown strongly in recent years,” the statement continues.

“Between 2012 and 2013 they increased their total level of floorspace on Retail Parks by 48 per cent and have over 280 stores.”

The Echo asked B&M for a comment for the company has not replied at this time

Source : Loughborough Echo
www.loughboroughecho.net/news/local-news/retail-giant-bm-plans-loughborough-9879415