Dundee councillors have followed planners’ advice and voted narrowly to reject a bid by Next to sell more clothes and footwear at its new Home and Garden store at Kingsway West.
Next would have closed its outlet in Gallagher Retail Park as part of the reorganisation of its Dundee activities, and city development director Mike Galloway warned that granting the clothing and homeware giant’s request could have severe repercussions for the city centre.
He feared it would set a dangerous precedent in making it very difficult for councils throughout Scotland to set and maintain conditions for retail provision.
Next wanted to change a legal agreement which restricts to 1,300 square metres the space for selling clothes and footwear in its £4.3 million flagship outlet planned for Kingsway West.
Next chairman Lord Simon Wolfson had warned that refusing the application “will not only lose a fantastic new store, it will also destroy 85 jobs and deprive the city of Dundee of much needed investment of £4.3 million.”
However, the proposal was defeated by 15 votes to 13 at Monday night’s council meeting.
For a full report on the meeting, see Tuesday’s Courier or try our digital edition.