DEVELOP THE MULBERRY TREE CENTRE, OR SELL IT ON TO SOMEONE WHO WILL SAYS MANUELA PERTEGHELLA
Liberal Democrat MP Manuela Perteghella for Stratford-on-Avon has written to the owners of the Mulberry Tree Centre, more commonly known as the old BHS building, to ask them to tidy up the site as a matter of urgency, and share their plans for redevelopment.
The old BHS building, also known as the Mulberry Tree Centre in Stratford-upon-Avon, has been closed now for over a decade. The store closed permanently on 23 July 2016, and has been in the hands of developers ever since. The site was last sold in 2019 for £3.5M, and whilst planning applications have been submitted in recent years, townsfolk long to see spades in the ground.
In the letter sent to the executive team that own the building, Liberal Democrat MP Manuela Perteghella said:
“I have received several representations from residents and local businesses concerning the poor condition of the site. The building is currently blighted by overgrown weeds, litter and temporary fencing. This centre is at the gateway to the town, highly visible to locals and tourists. Its state of disrepair is creating an appearance of neglect and decay. This is unacceptable.
“The first impressions experienced by visitors, tourists, investors and prospective businesses are important to the reputation and economic vitality of the town. The current state of the site does not reflect the high standards that local people rightly expect, nor the significance of Stratford-upon-Avon as an internationally recognised historic destination.”
She asked for the company to remove litter and rubbish, clear the weeds and overgrowth, improve the temporary fencing and provide ongoing maintenance whilst the store awaits development. She asked about timescales for development and asked for a response within the next 28 days.
Speaking after the event, Manuela Perteghella MP added:
“I remember when BHS was a thriving hub on the high street. The café was such a great place for families, and the store offered a wide variety of products.
“I still believe that with imagination and creativity, this building that stands at the gateway to the town from the south, could once again bring pride and commercial value to the area, and I encourage residents to sign my petition and support this campaign: