Managers of a shopping centre say they had put forward ideas for potential occupiers of a closed department store.

Springfields Outlet Shopping and Leisure has confirmed that it was asked for help after the closure of the Coneys store in Broad Street, Spalding, in May last year.

The former Hills department store has stood empty for more than a year after rising costs and declining sales forced director Scot Crowson to shut the business. He had purchased it from the previous owners in 2020 after it was announced that the well-known store was shutting.

A spokesman for the Camelgate shopping centre said: “Springfields does not operate any retail stores directly. We were asked for assistance and we were more than happy to support and try to assist. We held various meetings and put forward potential occupiers. In addition we also recommended a specialist agency to try and assist.”

South Holland District Council’s planning committee were recently due to make a decision on The Lighthouse Pentecostal Church’s bid to change the use of the shop but this was pulled last minute due to a material consideration came to light. We have approached the council to find out what the material considerations are.

The Lighthouse wants to create a church, play area, cafe, food bank, youth club and meeting area within the building.

Planning officers had recommended that the application be rejected on the grounds of the loss of prime retail space.

The council has not revealed a date for when the application will be re-considered.

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