Evolve Estates has exchanged contracts to acquire the property and site owned by Martell’s, fronting Queens Walk and Queens Road, in East Grinstead. This conditional purchase will bring forward the long-awaiting redevelopment of this town centre destination.
The 1.3 acre (0.5 hectare) site currently comprises the Martell’s department store, an under-used customer car park and a number of derelict houses. The proposed new mixed-use scheme will provide new, high-quality retail space in Queens Walk, with new one and two-bedroom apartments above and along Queens Road.
Preliminary plans were shown to the East Grinstead Town Council Planning Committee on Monday 29th June where they were well received. Considerable interest was shown and hope was expressed that after many failed promises, Queens Walk and Queens Road will be improved for the benefit of all.
Dan O’Keefe, Partner of Evolve Estates, said: “We see great potential in East Grinstead. Our plan is to provide a new high-quality scheme that will significantly improve the retail offer within the town centre and also provide new housing, turning Queen’s Walk into a vibrant, mixed-use environment.”
Evolve Estates is planning to hold a public consultation meeting in the next four to six weeks, following which a formal planning application will be submitted to MSDC.
As part of the redevelopment plans, Martell’s will be relocating within the town centre. Charlie Martell says: “The occupiers and visitors of Queens Walk have had years of plans and promises to rejuvenate the area. We now have a credible option and are working closely with Evolve Estates to turn these plans into reality.”
