Major Retail Transformation Announced for South West London
Kew Retail Park in South West London is set for a significant overhaul that will dramatically reshape its shopping offering for local residents. The comprehensive redevelopment scheme, recently approved by Richmond Council's planning committee, will introduce a new Aldi supermarket while substantially expanding the existing Marks and Spencer Foodhall.
Discount Supermarket Makes Its Debut
The prominent discount retailer Aldi will establish a new presence at the retail park, taking over the unit currently occupied by Sports Direct. This strategic move represents Aldi's continued expansion across London and is expected to generate approximately 40 new employment opportunities for the local community.
Penny Moss, representing agent Avison Young, emphasised the benefits this development will bring to Kew residents. "The application proposes the reuse of an existing building and will introduce a new retailer to this part of the borough," she stated. "As well as providing access to healthy and affordable food, the proposed development will create around 40 new jobs."
Substantial Expansion for Established Retailer
In a parallel development, the existing M&S Foodhall at Kew Retail Park will undergo a remarkable transformation, nearly tripling its current retail space. The expansion will see the store grow from 743 square metres to an impressive 1,876 square metres, achieved through internal reorganisation while maintaining the same external footprint.
This substantial enlargement forms part of Marks and Spencer's ambitious multi-year property transformation programme, which is enhancing key stores nationwide. The expanded Foodhall will feature M&S's signature elements including:
- The renowned "cheese barge" display
- Fresh produce sourced directly from M&S farms
- Dedicated wine and flower shop sections
- Comprehensive food ranges including gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, vegetarian and nutrient-dense options
Enhanced Shopping Experience and Employment Boost
Leo Scarfe, town planning manager at M&S, highlighted how the expansion will elevate the shopping experience for Kew residents and visitors. "The M&S store at Kew is long established and positioned in a popular location within the borough," he explained. "The enhanced Foodhall offer will enable the full range of M&S food to be sold in the store, providing customers with access to over 6,600 products."
The M&S expansion alone is projected to create 30 new positions, bringing the total workforce at the store to approximately 180 employees. "In addition to bringing significant investment to the store, improvements at Kew will create over 30 new local jobs," Mr Scarfe confirmed during the planning meeting.
Broader Retail Strategy for Richmond Borough
This development at Kew Retail Park represents just one component of M&S's wider strategy for the Richmond area. Mr Scarfe revealed that the company also plans to invest in its Richmond town centre store as part of their transformation programme, following recent modernisations at other local branches including Teddington.
"Alongside the enhancement of Kew, M&S want to ensure that they have the best stores for the wider borough," he emphasised, indicating a coordinated approach to retail improvement across multiple locations.
The combined developments at Kew Retail Park will provide local residents with substantially greater choice for their weekly food shopping, while delivering a significant employment boost through approximately 70 new positions created between the two retailers. The transformation reflects ongoing changes in consumer shopping patterns and the evolving retail landscape in South West London.
