House of Fraser backs out of Chester Northgate scheme

摘要

Troubled department store House of Fraser has pulled out of a council-led major retail development.However, Cheshire West & Chester Council has insisted the move will not 'undermine' its Chester Northgate plans.The retailer's decision not to progress with the new store comes as it announced plans to close 31 of its 59 outlets as part of an insolvency process.Chester Northgate includesleisure, residential and retail elements arranged in open shopping streets, parades and plazas in the north-west quarter of Chester city centre.Council leader, Cllr Samantha Dixon, said: 'It is obviously disappointing that House of Fraser's financial problems have led to one of our tenants to change their decision to be part of the Chester Northgate scheme.'While we remain committedto regenerating the Northgate area of the city and to delivering a high-quality scheme, clearly, we will reflect on the impact of this announcement.