Call for John Lewis to consider re-opening store in Streatham

2.42.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 13th May 2009

Local Liberal Democrats have written to Andy Street, Managing Director of John Lewis Partnership, asking them to consider Streatham as a location for one of their new Home stores - stores which are about one sixth the size of conventional John Lewis stores.

Many local residents trace the retail problems of Streatham High Road back to the closure of Pratts Department Store by John Lewis in the late 1980s. The store closed because it was smaller than the desired size for John Lewis stores and because of parking problems.

"These smaller stores could be ideal for a location like Streatham," commented Chris Nicholson, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Streatham.

"Many residents speak wistfully of shopping at Pratts and how vibrant the High Road was then. We cannot return to those days but having one of these new Home Stores would be a real boost for Streatham's struggling retail sector. I hope John Lewis will seriously consider this suggestion."