Boots shuts down closure fears after planning application for Calcot store

Boots has shut down closure fears about a planning application for its store at a shopping area in Calcot, writes Local Democracy Reporter James Aldridge.

There are rumours that the store at the Sainsbury’s retail park off Bath Road could close. That’s because a plan has emerged to allow for food sales at the unit it occupies.

A planning agent for the landowners states that Boots is due to close as it is ‘reaching its lease expiry’.

The news has led to concern from neighbours about the store’s future.

However, a spokesperson has replied that the Boots will remain in place for a number of years to come.

The Boots spokesperson said: “Boots is aware of this planning application but we would like to assure our customers that we have no plans to close our store in Calcot.

“Our lease of the building is secure for several more years.”

The description of the plan states that the application is to allow the ‘unrestricted use’ of the unit ‘including the sale of both non-food and food and drink products’.

You can view the application by typing reference 24/00863/FUL into West Berkshire Council’s planning portal.