Marks & Spencer Bid to Buy Car Park Turned Down
Retailer wanted Bond Street site to form part of expansion
Marks and Spencer is believed to own one of the car park's at the rear of its store
June 2, 2025
Hounslow Council has revealed that Marks and Spencer unsuccessfully bid to buy a car park in the centre of Chiswick to allow for further expansion of its store.
The council-owned car park on Chiswick Common Road which is by Bond Street has 16 bays and the council has said categorically it will not be sold. It is at the rear of 240 and 242 Chiswick High Road which were the premises of Mint Velvet and Up and Running. These buildings are one and two storeys high compared to the much larger block that the Marks and Spencer store is based in. It is understood that the retailer wanted to acquire the car park to redevelop the site and expand it back towards Chiswick Common Road. However, it has now also announced that it has acquired the unit on the other side of its store which was, until recently, occupied by Poundland. The expansion incorporates the units at 240 and 242 Chiswick High Road but there will no change to the height or footprint of these buildings.
The council has also confirmed that Marks and Spencer requested a change of use for the Bond Street car park to enable construction work relating to its expansion and that this was turned down. No planning application was submitted, and it is understood that the council position was indicated to the retailer during pre-application discussions.
It is believed that the other car park on Chiswick Common Road, which is on private land, is owned by Marks and Spencer. No indication has been given as to whether the company is seeking permission to use this site during the project and no application has been submitted. It successfully applied for a temporary change of use for the car park in 2018 to allow refrigeration units to be place at the site during work in the store.
The council is adamant that there is no link between the recent decision, now rescinded, to end arrangement that gave vehicles from the Flower Market exclusive use of the Bond Street car park on Sundays. The flower market organisers were informed about this decision towards the end of May. When the market was set up in 2020, it was agreed that this car park should be closed off the night before to allow traders' vehicles sole use. Typically, this meant that around 23 vehicles including vans could be left in the 16-space car park.
The car park by Bond Street is owned by the council
Following an outcry from local councillors, the council reconsidered its decision and announced that all markets, not just the Flower Market, would have the right of sole use of the car park at a ‘discounted rate’. The charge is being made to cover the cost of council officers coming to close off the car park on Saturday evening and reopen on Sunday after the market vehicles have left. The council is about to introduce parking restrictions on a Sunday in the Mid-Chiswick Controlled Parking Zone which includes Chiswick Common Road but it is understood that the Bond Street car park is not included in these changes and will remain free on Sundays if not being used by market vehicles.
Ollie Saunders, one of the Flower Market organisers, said, "The Council responded really quickly - helped by some very supportive local councillors. We are very grateful for the quick common-sense resolution. Being able to use the car park means that we continue to mitigate the impact on local parking from the market as much as we can - the collaboration has been really encouraging and constructive."
Councillor Shivraj Grewal, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Recycling and Transformation at Hounslow Council, said, “All of Chiswick’s fantastic Sunday markets have played an integral role in revitalizing Chiswick’s local economy after the pandemic and cementing our reputation as a destination borough that serves local communities and attracts visitors from far and wide.
“Market traders from the Sunday markets will be offered discounted parking, in Chiswick Common Road carpark, from July. Giving all traders equal access to parking and supporting them all to thrive and grow.”
We have asked Marks and Spencer if the refusal of its request will delay its expansion project which was originally due to complete in November with the newly fitted out store up and running for Christmas. We also asked them if they still have plans to use any car park during construction work and to address concerns raised locally that the building may contain asbestos. At the time of writing, we have not received a response.
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