Primark looks set to arrive in Uxbridge next year after Hillingdon Council's approval of a "travel plan" appeared to spill the beans on the retailer's proposal

Planning permission for a dramatic, wholesale overhaul of the Pavilions shopping centre was granted last October, subject to conditions being met.

But the plans are now one step closer to becoming reality after various facets, including a travel plan, were approved by the council's head of planning and enforcement last Thursday.

Fifteen existing shops along the centre's Chequers Walk Mall will now be consolidated under the new proposals, together with the mall itself, to create one giant unit.

The two-floor, 4,650sq/m space will be occupied by "major national retailer", which has long been rumoured to be Primark.

The travel plan, completed by ADL Traffic Engineering Ltd, outlines Primark Stores Ltd as their client and assesses the effects of the development on transport capacity.

It states: “The store is currently expected to be operational (i.e. open and trading) from June 2016.

“The travel plan will be implemented by Primark as soon as reasonably practical and in any event no later than two months following first occupation of the development.”

Primark has since confirmed it will be opening a store in Uxbridge in winter 2016.

'Key shopping destination'

A spokesman for the brand said: “Uxbridge provides an ideal location for Primark as it meets our requirements for store locations and we believe a popular destination for our key demographics.”

However, the company that owns the shopping centre LaSalle Investment Management as well as Hillingdon Council, both remain tight-lipped.

A spokesman for the council said: "We welcome the employment and inward investment opportunity a large format store brings to the high street.

"On top of current local shoppers, thousands of additional customers could be visiting each week; many will spend money with existing retailers helping maintain Uxbridge’s position as a key shopping destination.

"While we expect most customers to use the excellent bus and rail links serving the town centre, there will be more than adequate parking for those shopping by car - including in the council's revamped car parks."

'Major high street brand'

The High Street shopping centre, which houses around 90 stores, was built in 1971 as an open-roof facility. It was refurbished in the mid 1980s, when its open walkways were covered with glazed roofs.

The current plans represent what will be the most significant development of the centre since then.

Property firm LaSalle Investment Management bought the 32,568sq/m shopping centre for £64.5m in 2013.

The redevelopment of the Chequers Square mall area, which will also involve installing a mezzanine floor, is only the first of three stages in the company's long-term plan for the centre.

In documents lodged with Hillingdon Council, LaSalle Investment Management says the 15 affected units, some of which are empty, are not attracting enough shoppers - whereas the new store will.

The documents state: “In order to attract and retain quality retailers within the town centre, it is important that opportunities are taken to offer flexible layouts that maximise floor areas and that increase the retail offer available to operators.

“The Pavilions continues to maximise occupancy. However, it is clear from current demand that small units are becoming less attractive and this 'corner' of the existing centre is becoming underused.

“The owner of the centre is therefore keen to pursue the opportunity of introducing a major high street brand that will add significantly to the viability of the existing shopping centre, as well as the wider town centre.”