CHELMSFORD: Eyesore reopening is boost

By pbaker

ALMOST exactly five years after it shut Chelmsford's 'eyesore' Allders store is to be reopened by stylish Essex furnishing group Dansk Design.

The £4million building has remained empty since February 2005 and is currently undergoing a £400,000 transformation, says general manager Ian Park.

Dansk with a head office in Basildon and branches in Braintree, Lakeside and Rayleigh is set to open around Easter with a "grand opening" in May he adds. The move has been described by High Chelmer retail centre boss and former business group chief Mick McDonagh as a "Breath of spring and a much needed uplift to that part of town."

The Allders branch in New London Road adjoins Chelmsford Star Quadrant which originally owned it as part of the complex before selling it to Maples which in turn surrendered it to Allders.

Co-op marketing boss Vanessa Howard said: "It's great news, the place is an eyesore and we were surprised it was shut for so long. It will be a major boost for this end of the town.

"It shows confidence in the recovery and the fact that Chelmsford has been relatively untouched by the recession. There is a north-south divide and Chelmsford is benefiting from the south's recovery."

Dansk had a small showroom in Moulsham Street in the 1980s but closed it when they opened at Lakeside. The new store has 30,000 square feet of sales space on three floors.

Ms Howard said: "We sell furniture but Dansk are at the very top end of the market so we see them as complementary to us and much more important as a magnet to this locality.

"The removal of the run down appearance of that side of town will be an enormous boost."

It has also been announced that Barclays Bank is in advanced negotiations to relocate to the former Woolworth Store from its Regency-style building near the Shire Hall.

A spokeswoman said no contracts have been exchanged and the building will need extensive works but a move by the end of the year was on the cards.