People in Portsmouth have come out en masse in support of Stephen Morgan’s campaign for progress on the Knight and Lee redevelopment.
Last week Mr Morgan encouraged local people to add their names to his letter to the developers THAT Group calling on them to speed up plans for redevelopment and construction.
In less than two weeks, nearly 1000 local people, community leaders and businesses have added their names to the letter.
You can show your support by signing the open letter here.
Commenting, Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan said:
“I’m pleased, but also not surprised, to see the response my call for action has received from local people.
“The Knight and Lee redevelopment has so much potential to revitalise that area of the city, but has been stalled for too long.
“I hope those with the power to act see how much this means to local people and businesses, and engage with us to drive this project forward for the good of Portsmouth.”
Local residents have also spoken out in support of Mr Morgan’s campaign.
Commenting, Jacueline Ford from Southsea said:
“As I’m sure a number of residents of Southsea join me in the frustration that nothing appears to be happening with the old K&L building.
“As the old Debenham building is being unveiled I’m sure it will be an asset to the area.
“Surely the Council should be able to serve them with some sort of notice to resolve this situation. Otherwise, what is the point of the council.”
Commenting, David C from Southsea said:
“The delay in developing the old Knight & Lee building has resulted in vandalism, smashed windows, illegal trespassing and adolescent children on the roof. The lift shaft is a hollow shell meaning that it is a death trap for anyone in there at night.
“The side of the building leading onto the pedestrian lane has become a haven for drug use and drug dealing to the extent that some female residents feel unsafe using the lane.”
THAT Group secured planning permission in 2022 to transform the former Knight and Lee site on Palmerston Road into a 43-bedroom hotel, two cinemas, offices, a gym, shops, food and drink venues, and an indoor food market.
Since final approval was granted, however, little progress has been made, despite earlier reports that the city council might take over the site.
The city council took seven months to respond to constituent enquiries from Mr Morgan’s office, whilst the city MP has made repeated steps to contact the developer for a meeting to discuss progress.
Mr Morgan organises and chairs a regular local forum with businesses in the Palmerston Road area, using the forum to ensure improvements in community safety and public realm.
Actions from the most recent forum included writing to developers THAT Group to speed up progress on the Knight and Lee building redevelopment.
The Knight and Lee department store, one of just two John Lewis shops in the UK to keep its original name, was the first the retailer had closed since 2006.
Originally opened in Southsea in 1865, it was taken over by the John Lewis Partnership in 1933 and closed on 13 July 2019 after more than 150 years of trading.
