Stephen Morgan MP has renewed his commitment to taking action on the much-cherished former store as part of efforts to revitalise our city’s high streets.
The action follows reports in The News that the current owner of the site on Palmerston Road – THATgroup – are considering stepping away as developers of the former Knight & Lee building in Southsea.
The Knight & Lee department store previously located at this site was originally opened in 1865 and closed in July 2019 after more than 150 years of trading.
Since 2019, Stephen Morgan MP has been a vocal campaigner calling for action to restore this locally and historically significant building.
Previously, Mr Morgan has met with the owners in Parliament, visited the derelict store with the developer and liaised with others to push for action.
The developer secured planning permission in 2022 to transform the building into a 43-bedroom hotel, two cinemas, offices, a gym, shops, food and drink venues, and an indoor food market.
In response to a lack of any substantial progress since then, Mr Morgan launched an open letter to the developer which submitted over 1,300 signatures of support from local people, small businesses and community representatives, demonstrating the strength of feeling on this matter in our community.
Now, it has been reported that the current developer is in negotiations to transfer the site to another.
Commenting, Stephen Morgan, MP for Portsmouth South, said:
“I share the frustrations of local people and our city’s businesses over the lack of action on the much-cherished former Knight & Lee store.
“That’s why I’ve been convening a task force bringing traders and local businesses in the area together to drive improvements in Southsea’s shopping precinct calling on the council, police and others to take seriously ideas and concerns shared.
“Over 1,300 people signed my open letter to the developers of the former Knight & Lee store calling for action to finally restore this gem on our Southsea’s high street.
“When so many local businesses are working hard to smarten up Southsea and contribute to our local economy, the current state of the building is a blight on our community and letting our city down.
“Whoever owns the site, I will continue to work with others to ensure progress on the site. Authorities should use all powers available to them to bring this about”.
The MP has again contacted the developer today to continue his efforts.
