Podcast Pete

Now, it will take a while for M&S not just to put down the shutters, which, as I say, happens on the 17th of August, but to actually take everything out. They've got a lot of stock to clear. They've got a lot of units to clear. All those food areas, you know, the fridges and the freezers and all of that stuff. They've probably got stuff. Of course, they've got stuff behind the scenes as well.

Now, it will take a while for M&S not just to put down the shutters, which, as I say, happens on the 17th of August, but to actually take everything out. They've got a lot of stock to clear. They've got a lot of units to clear. All those food areas, you know, the fridges and the freezers and all of that stuff. They've probably got stuff. Of course, they've got stuff behind the scenes as well.

The kind of warehousing bit that we don't usually see. So that's going to take quite a bit to dismantle all of that from the building. And as I said last week, there's two floors. So another company that comes in may not want two floors.

The kind of warehousing bit that we don't usually see. So that's going to take quite a bit to dismantle all of that from the building. And as I said last week, there's two floors. So another company that comes in may not want two floors.

They may only want one floor, in which case they've got to take out the escalator, because obviously that's going to be of a security concern if you've got an escalator between two completely different shops. Take out that. That's a mammoth job, isn't it? And then fill in the floor that'll be left with that huge void in.

They may only want one floor, in which case they've got to take out the escalator, because obviously that's going to be of a security concern if you've got an escalator between two completely different shops. Take out that. That's a mammoth job, isn't it? And then fill in the floor that'll be left with that huge void in.

Put in more lighting and security systems and sprinklers and all the rest of it. So... Boy, oh boy. I mean, I don't know. I'm no architect, as you may know. I'm struggling to know what I am. But I'm certainly not an architect or a builder. But, I don't know, Christmas? Seems a bit of a pinch to me.

Put in more lighting and security systems and sprinklers and all the rest of it. So... Boy, oh boy. I mean, I don't know. I'm no architect, as you may know. I'm struggling to know what I am. But I'm certainly not an architect or a builder. But, I don't know, Christmas? Seems a bit of a pinch to me.

Unless someone's going to be going in and maybe doing a pop-up, something, two floors ahead of Christmas. I don't know. But watch this space. The logistics of repurposing it is all going to take time. So... What does the Belfry say? M&S has been much loved by our shoppers for the last 33 years. We wish all of the M&S staff well and thank them for being part of the Belfry's history.

Unless someone's going to be going in and maybe doing a pop-up, something, two floors ahead of Christmas. I don't know. But watch this space. The logistics of repurposing it is all going to take time. So... What does the Belfry say? M&S has been much loved by our shoppers for the last 33 years. We wish all of the M&S staff well and thank them for being part of the Belfry's history.

The Belfry's constantly evolved over the years as consumer habits have changed and it'll continue to evolve with new stores opening all the time. Although it will be disappointing to lose M&S... The bigger picture of the centre remains extremely positive, with more visitors using the centre and staying longer. We have strong inquiries on the retail space that will obviously now seek to progress.

The Belfry's constantly evolved over the years as consumer habits have changed and it'll continue to evolve with new stores opening all the time. Although it will be disappointing to lose M&S... The bigger picture of the centre remains extremely positive, with more visitors using the centre and staying longer. We have strong inquiries on the retail space that will obviously now seek to progress.

And it continues, finally, the Belfry is busier than ever and the town itself is thriving with hybrid working practices established. and the opening of Redhill's new Rise Complex last year, including the light cinema and leisure, we are confident of welcoming new tenants in time to the centre and can't wait to share news when we are able to.

And it continues, finally, the Belfry is busier than ever and the town itself is thriving with hybrid working practices established. and the opening of Redhill's new Rise Complex last year, including the light cinema and leisure, we are confident of welcoming new tenants in time to the centre and can't wait to share news when we are able to.

Now, obviously, all of this is quite concerning and upsetting. People getting in touch with loads of comments. Here are some of them. Joe said, simple answer is they make more money on their food than clothing and they pay a lot more in rental to have the clothing. I hope they move into another unit and have a bigger food section. They'd be missing a trick if they didn't.

Now, obviously, all of this is quite concerning and upsetting. People getting in touch with loads of comments. Here are some of them. Joe said, simple answer is they make more money on their food than clothing and they pay a lot more in rental to have the clothing. I hope they move into another unit and have a bigger food section. They'd be missing a trick if they didn't.

Well, you'd like to think, wouldn't you? I mean, perhaps just take over one of the floors there at the Belfry and just make it a big food store? Just an idea. I know there are a few of those. There's that food-only store in Reigate, for example. And I know there's a food-only store...

Well, you'd like to think, wouldn't you? I mean, perhaps just take over one of the floors there at the Belfry and just make it a big food store? Just an idea. I know there are a few of those. There's that food-only store in Reigate, for example. And I know there's a food-only store...

I think I'm right in saying, you know, up the A3 at Tolworth Tower, in the bottom of the top, there's a... Did you know that? There's one there. So, you know, it is possible. I don't know. Just an idea. Sure, they thought about it. Marilyn says, why not shut... Ooh! Marilyn, I'm not going to read out your surname. Marilyn says, why not shut the Reigate one? After all, it is much smaller.

I think I'm right in saying, you know, up the A3 at Tolworth Tower, in the bottom of the top, there's a... Did you know that? There's one there. So, you know, it is possible. I don't know. Just an idea. Sure, they thought about it. Marilyn says, why not shut... Ooh! Marilyn, I'm not going to read out your surname. Marilyn says, why not shut the Reigate one? After all, it is much smaller.