Time Out pulls plans for Spitalfields food market
Media giant Time Out has pulled its plans for a 20,000 sq ft-plus food market in London’s Spitalfields, citing the drawn-out planning approval process.
The company’s proposals for 106 Commercial Road, E1, had included 12 permanent kitchens “of fine dining standard” in a Grade II listed, disused office block.
Plans were recommended for approval by Tower Hamlets’ development committee last July, but a decision at the relevant meeting was deferred ahead of another site visit, and the scheme has not been brought in front of the committee since.
Media giant Time Out has pulled its plans for a 20,000 sq ft-plus food market in London’s Spitalfields, citing the drawn-out planning approval process.
The company’s proposals for 106 Commercial Road, E1, had included 12 permanent kitchens “of fine dining standard” in a Grade II listed, disused office block.
Plans were recommended for approval by Tower Hamlets’ development committee last July, but a decision at the relevant meeting was deferred ahead of another site visit, and the scheme has not been brought in front of the committee since.
The company said it has now withdrawn the plans with the support of landlord Truman Brewery.
A spokesperson for Time Out Group said the decision was “disappointing as we were looking forward to bringing our food and cultural market with its positive contribution – including new jobs, opportunities for local talent and benefits to the local economy – to this London borough”.
They added: “It is regrettable that, although recommended for approval by planning officers, the Tower Hamlets Development Committee chose to defer its decision on our application in 2022 after a process which has already taken several years and during which we addressed all prior concerns. With an expectation of the process being drawn out by further delays we have decided to no longer proceed with our application but focus our resources on other opportunities. We are grateful to everyone who has supported us throughout this process, in particular the landlord, Truman Brewery.
“We remain focused on our strategy of signing management agreements to open Time Out Markets in both the UK and globally. We are excited about the success of our seven existing Markets and the eight new locations in the pipeline in cities such as Barcelona, Cape Town, and Vancouver – we are looking forward to opening here and in other cities which embrace having a Time Out Market as an addition to their city’s culinary and cultural offerings.”
Last month Time Out appointed Gillingham Bell International as its global real estate partner to support the expansion of its food hall business. A spokesperson told EG they expected London to remain on the company’s list of targets.
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