The owners of the House of Fraser Site, Canada Life, have decided after what appears to have been a year of negotiation not to accept an offer by Fenwicks to become a tenant in the now closed House of Fraser store. The Guildford Dragon reported that 'Canada Life purchased the freehold in 2009 for £31 million, leasing the whole property to House of Fraser (Stores) Ltd until July 2039'.
What happens to the site is now uncertain. Development of the site is difficult with the part of the store on the High Street being a Grade II Listed Building and an intrinsic part of the Historic High Street. The North Street section which was built/rebuilt in the 2000's is basically a modern building, ceiling heights etc are more suited to modern retail demands. The Jellicoe Gardens on the top of the building are Grade II listed.
Getting a viable solution for this important site is important for the retail health of Guildford.
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