A mercy John Lewis didn’t go ahead

LAST week’s letter from ‘Eye for Business’ made some very pertinent points about the debacle surrounding what should have been the simple decision to grant - or not - planning permission for the John Lewis development at Sprucefield.

By The Newsroom

Published 21st Aug 2012, 14:55 BST

But this week’s report from Colliers, which suggested Belfast is now the only destination big retailers are interested in in Northern ireland, almost makes the Sprucefield debate redundant.

The striking figure that John Lewis makes 20% of its profit from online sales surely means the days of expansion are now over.

Even if John Lewis wanted to go ahead, how would the developers be able to let the remaining 19 units? The names which were always mentioned are all cutting back on the number of outlets they have and there is very little prospect of Northern Ireland getting out of recession for several years.

Perhaps when we look back in a few years we may be grateful building didn’t start at Sprucefield.

Can anyone imagine a huge store like John Lewis surrounded by empty units? That truly would have been the worst of all worlds.

Deflated Customer,

Lambeg