Pictured above: Brightwells Yard, on the afternoon 0f 5 February. An absence of people.
May 2025: review of progress in Brightwells
The sale of apartments is progressing, but few retail units have been taken. As of February, there were two restaurants, one cinema, one gym, a play area and one estate agent. Brightwell House is empty despite hopes that Coppa Club would open a branch there in 2024.
It was, for a long time, hoped that M & S would open a Food Hall in Brightwells, which would act as an ‘anchor store’, drawing customers into the centre and encouraging the opening of other retail outlets. However, M & S eventually pulled out, and subsequently (March 2025) submitted a planning application (WA/2025/00761) to open up a Food Hall in the former Homebase premises at the Farnham Retail Park in Guildford Road.
Creative Space, a community hub, opened in May to provide a space for events, available to local businesses, charities and community groups.
A ‘Win a Shop’ competition led to two businesses winning a year’s rent free use of premises. BB Dog Boutique and Amba House furniture store expect to move into Brightwells later in 2025.
