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Woking town centre’s multi-million-pound revitalisation plans have taken a major step forward after leading UK pharmacy and beauty retail operator Boots officially opened its new 27,500 square foot flagship store as part of the completion of the first phase of the Victoria Place development.
The store, located at the corner of Wolsey Place and Commercial Way, represents a major investment by Boots and confirms the retailer’s continued confidence in Woking town centre. Last year, Boots opened a brand new similar-sized superstore in Covent Garden, starting a new journey of reinvention and innovation for the iconic British retailer.
The new store, which will stock more than 300 brands, also features a Boots opticians, a click-and-collect service, a pharmacy with two new consulting rooms, a vaccination service, in-store photo printing and a rehydration point for refilling water bottles and forms a cornerstone of the Victoria Place development.
Welcoming the official opening, Cllr Ayesha Azad, Leader of Woking Borough Council, said: “Opening the first phase of Victoria Place represents yet another significant milestone in the transformation of Woking’s continued journey as a compelling place to live, work, visit and enjoy. Victoria Place is positively reshaping Woking for a vibrant future which will underpin investment, growth and economic prosperity for everyone. I look forward to many more milestones and announcements to come.”
First envisaged almost a decade ago, Victoria Place is now entering the final stages of completion and will include more than 125,000 square feet of new retail space – including a new Marks & Spencer – as well as 429 residential apartments, a new four star Hilton hotel with conference facilities, a new restaurant unit on Commercial Way, two public plazas, a medical centre and additional parking.
Peter Robinson, Managing Director of Moyallen Holdings Limited, said: “The new Boots store is a fantastic addition to Woking Shopping’s stellar retail line-up of big brands and independent stores and I’m delighted that its official opening heralds the completion of the first phase of a development that will dramatically transform the town centre.
“Built for a new, positive and forward-looking generation, Victoria Place seamlessly integrates a range of uses to support a thriving community and will contribute to the town’s growth and economy for decades to come.”
Cllr Kevin Davis, Woking Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Promoting the Local Economy, welcomed the announcement. “Now entering the final stages of completion, Victoria Place will play a pivotal role in Woking’s transformation as an attractive and vibrant destination which propels investment, underpins job creation and powers economic growth. The addition of a new and outstanding flagship Boots store is welcome, positive news and demonstrates continued confidence in the town centre and Woking at large.”
Victoria Place is one of the largest urban transformation projects ever undertaken in Surrey and has been specifically designed to deliver a significant economic boost for the fast-growing destination which is strategically located only 25 minutes from central London by train and just 16 miles from Heathrow. Woking also enjoys a direct fast link bus to Heathrow Airport.