John Lewis & Partners is shutting its 35,000 sq ft department store in Southsea, Hampshire, and will separately move its maintenance function to CBRE.
The Knight & Lee & Partners store, which is the smallest full-line department store in its estate, will close in July.
The retailer said its reasons for shuttering the store, which staffs 127 people, were threefold:
- The physical condition, size, age and shape of the property restricts the customer offer;
- It would require significant investment to modernise Knight & Lee; and
- At the end of last year, a unique commercial opportunity presented itself to sell the freehold of the building and close Knight & Lee.
The company added that it does not plan any other closures at this time.
Dino Rocos, partner and operations director, said: “We have not taken this decision lightly and we considered every implication for our partners, customers and the community. However, a unique combination of factors, including the significant investment required and the opportunity to sell the property freehold, makes this the right decision for the financial sustainability of our business.
“We also want to bring the very best of what John Lewis & Partners has to offer to all of our customers and, in Southsea, we believe we can better serve them through our Southampton and Chichester shops, and online with an improved click-and-collect offer at Waitrose & Partners Southsea.”
Meanwhile, as part of its strategy to increase productivity, the partnership will move the majority of activity and service provision in its maintenance function to CBRE.
The decision follows an 18-month review to improve efficiency and maintenance service levels across its shops, distribution network and head offices.
Since it will be the sole maintenance provider, 365 employees will join CBRE.
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