Plans to open a B&M store in Ryde could soon come to fruition, with suggestions that the Neutrik building off Brading Road is to be transformed into the discount retailer.
For weeks Island Echo has been investigating claims that B&M has been exploring options for opening a second store on the Isle of Wight, with Ryde said to be a ‘done deal’. With talks of staff being appointed but no building in sight, it raised questions as to where on earth – or should that be where in Ryde – the store would go.
It was on 20th April that Island Echo reported on new redundancy fears at the manufacturing firm Neutrik. Last week it was confirmed that 120 jobs are to be axed by the end of the year.
Now, Neutrik has applied for planning permission to change the use of the building to include retail. Then the penny dropped…
Planning documents say Neutrik is seeking to expand the potential optional uses of the building to ‘allow business agility in years to come’. It is seeking a change from B1 (b) and (c) — for the research and development of products and any industrial process — to a wider class E which allows any commercial, business and service use.
Its current production capacity is covered by Class E but it would also allow the building to be used as retail space; a restaurant, offices, indoor sports, medical facility, nursery, financial or professional services plus any other. The agents say the building is surrounded by a wide range of companies, reflecting the broad variation possible under Class E use – perhaps that includes a B&M?
Zesta Planning, agents on behalf of Neutrik, say the application is submitted in the context of the consultation which seeks to consider all available options to improve the effective operation of the company.
The planning application was submitted to the Isle of Wight Council in April — a week after the consultation period was announced – so the company has wasted no time in moving forward. Island Echo is told that ‘people’ have been ‘measuring up’ around the factory in recent weeks.
B&M has been approached for a statement but has failed to respond to 2 requests.
You can view the plans, 22/00784/RVC, on the council’s planning register. Comments can be submitted until 14th June.
Won’t be going there, not poor.
Distasteful comment
what a stupid comment ,think its good news anything to build Ryde up is a good thing and better than driving to Newport ,next tidy up Ryde town centre please
Another self-inflicted nail in the town centre coffin if approved. Really stupid destruction of our diverse town centre economies.
More tat for the universal credit claimants to waste cash on, they send their brood off the food bank no doubt.
The Isle of Retail Chains. I’ve been very fortunate to be able to leave the iow few years ago, best decision I’ve made. Occasionally come on iwcp and ie website to validate my choice. Red arrow me all you want but there’s literally nothing imo the island has going for it. Ryde is a toilet, so is Newport, so is Sandown, Ventnor is a hippy place with nothing there, absolutely nothing to do in west wight. Maybe beaches but may I point out the UK has about 8000 miles of coastline.
Glad you moved too. Shame you still feel the need to comment
I guess with a comment like that you ought to enlighten the rest of us where you moved too that is so fantastic?
No, because of the reasons I moved is to get away from the island mentality.
And here you are makeing a useless comment on an area you want nothing to do with
Well said Bob. We’re pleased you left the island too.
Fair point well made.
The fact you still feel need to come on here to validate your decision says it all really… learn to see the good in everything, you might find it makes you a more valuable person.
I have lived here for over 30 years, used to be a lovely clean place to live, but it is awful now.. too many rapes, searing, shouting late at night, knifing and drugs… the smell of skunk weed is everywhere. The whole Island is littered with drunks, and druggies. whom have no idea of what a litter bin is… Some will sit on a bench with a rubbish bin not even ten feet away, yet still leave their empty tins and other rubbish on the grounds.. WHY… Because no one cares anymore.. Seems to me people just do not care about where they live.. no pride.. easy to spot, council estate colours in track suits.. awful place now… but sadly I am now a prisoner here do to cost of renting and the stupid bloody ferries.. how ancient are they ?? Charging people stupid amounts to travel across Solent. If had a tunnel I would have left years ago. This is not the Isle of Wight anymore… Isle of Scum now.. no one cares..
Charging people stupid amounts to travel across Solent. If had a tunnel I would have left years ago. This is not the Isle of Wight anymore… Isle of Scum now.. no one cares..
correct – no one cares
Just in time for all the new housing planned !!!!
No wonder they didn’t waste any time in applying for change of use !!!!!
Never mind the 120 people that are losing their jobs !!!!
Neutrik will prosper !!!!!
Money money money….
That’s all they care about !!!!!
Hopefully will be able to do some discount shopping without the lingering stench of weed for a change.
Unfortunately the smell of weed is present in most shops in Newport
That awful smell of Skunk Weed is all over the Island. Thank you selfish Druggies.. !! No thoughts of anyone else… they do not care… a knife and a bit of puff, all they care about…
Hopefully they will put some decent CCTV and security in this one as the one in Newport is the most shoplifted from shop on the IOW (closely followed by TK Maxx)
Prefer Home Bargains myself.
Aldi would be a better choice !!
That stretch of road is bad enough with the McDonald’s traffic, without another store. How are the folks in the estate going to enjoy the extra traffic. Still at least the people who loose their jobs may get a job working for B&M