MP in talks with Primark to open store in town

Primark opened a store in the former Debenhams in Bury St Edmunds in March 2024

An MP and councillor said they were in discussions with Primark in the hope the retailer would open a store in a town.

Rupert Lowe, the Reform UK MP for Great Yarmouth, sent a letter to Paul Marchant, the chief executive of Primark, in which he offered a tour of the town centre for possible sites "that could suit the introduction of a Primark store".

Daniel Candon, a councillor and cabinet member for economic development and growth on Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said he had also been in talks with the chain.

Primark told the BBC it welcomed the enthusiasm for a store in the town, but would not comment on speculation about branch openings.

Alongside his letter, which he published on Facebook, Lowe said: "Opening a Primark store in the town centre would be a huge economic boost for Great Yarmouth."

Lowe's letter had been received by the retailer and was "being examined by the appropriate member of the senior team".

The MP added: "I thank the Primark team for their speedy response, we are now in discussions and I'll keep everyone updated.

"There is a huge demand for Primark in Great Yarmouth, with a number of available retail spaces that would be appropriate.

"It would drive investment into the town, creating jobs and opportunities for dozens of people.

"Alongside my proposal to introduce time-limited free parking in certain locations across the constituency, I say let's trying something a bit different to get Great Yarmouth booming again."

Primark in the past has viewed the former Co-op department store, as well as the former Debenhams and Wilko retail units inside Market Gates Shopping Centre, but the company did not further talks on any occasion.

Daniel Candon says he has had a "great deal of positive discussions" with the retailer

Candon said on Facebook: "A great deal of positive discussions have already taken place with Primark, who have recently shown an interest in certain premises and a change in their economic model.

"A big, affordable brand like Primark would increase the town's footfall massively, stop a large amount of people going to Norwich and also act as a magnet for further businesses to want to invest in our town centre."

In response to Lowe's call for Great Yarmouth to introduce time-limited free parking, Mr Candon said: "The funding we receive from car parks pays for important public services, so any shortfall in public revenue would have to be made up and we wouldn't want to push that down onto the taxpayer.

"The misinformation that the town is dying is the opposite of what the footfall figures suggest; a 900,000 increase in footfall since 2023."

A spokesperson for Primark said: "It's fantastic to see the level of enthusiasm for a Primark in Great Yarmouth and we'll keep their positive feedback in mind as we continually review opportunities for the expansion of our business.

"However, as you'd expect, we don't comment on speculation about where or when we might open our next stores."