Waterstones to open new Whiteley store
By Connor Steel
WATERSTONES have announced that it will be opening another store within the Fareham borough early next month, with the popular book selling retailer looking set to take over a newly vacant unit in Whiteley Shopping Centre that was formerly occupied by the large fashion branding chain of Accessorize Monsoon.
A provisional opening date has been confirmed as August 12 (Friday), with the new store set to join similar sized branches within Fareham Shopping Centre (Thackeray Mall) and Commercial Road in Portsmouth (near Primark). Already dubbed as ‘Fareham Whiteley’, work began last Monday (11/07) on transforming the empty unit; a task that is set to last another month with a range of exterior and interior changes needed.
According to the retailer the new store will “offer a thoughtfully curated selection of books and gifts across one floor, boasting a sizeable children’s section”. Its full address has furthermore been confirmed as Unit A2, Whiteley Shopping, Whiteley Way, Whiteley, Fareham, PO15 7PD; sitting next to Wagamama’s restaurant.
It comes as Waterstones look to build upon its 311 stores across the United Kingdom, which are supported by their online purchasing website offering collection and delivery services. Large growth during the Covid-19 pandemic allowed the company to purchase competitors ‘Blackwells’ and its eighteen stores earlier this year.
A spokesperson for the retailer said last week: “We have long hoped to open a sister shop to our popular Thackeray Mall location in central Fareham and have now found a great home in the out-of-town Whiteley shopping centre. We can’t wait to welcome everyone through the doors of our beautiful new bookshop,”
This excitement was shared by Whitely Centre Director, Mia Gordon, who said: “It’s always great to welcome new brands to Whiteley, especially ones that are as well known and loved as Waterstones. With such a wide range of books, stationery, and gifting options, I’m sure it will be a very popular choice with our shoppers.”
And one loyal Globe reader said over the weekend: “As a big lover of books it is good to see Waterstones opening up new stores but in particular in Whiteley Shopping Centre. I enjoy going there for a walk and mooch regularly, so it will be a good opportunity to spend all my tokens / vouchers for my birthday recently”.
Readers can find out more information about Whiteley Shopping Centre including a store map by clicking this link, whilst they can furthermore explore Waterstones products via the website: www.waterstones.com.
PICTURED BY THE AUTHOR: Visitors can expect a range of books to purchase at new Waterstones store.
