The retailer, which sells tents, clothing and equipment for outdoor activities including cycling, hiking and more will take over the shop in Basing View. As previously reported, John Lewis vacated the building at the store next to Eastrop roundabout in 2021, as part of the retailer's decision to close eight shops after the Covid-19 pandemic. The decision was made to 'reflect changing ways of customers shopping' according to the company, which said it expected 60-70 per cent of sales would be made online in the future.
The store had previously confirmed that it would be opening in the unit after it submitted a planning application to replace signage on the store's exterior, however, the opening date had not been set. The application, currently under review by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, proposes the installation of illuminated signs on the outside of the building. The building's signage, which was erected in 2015 as a purpose-built Waitrose and John Lewis flagship store, could be replaced to read 'GO Outdoors' instead of 'John Lewis'.
GO Outdoors, which is owned by fashion retail company JD Sports, already has a superstore in the town in Chineham, which opened in Gaston's Wood retail park in 2009. However, the branch will be closed to make way for the company's new store, it was confirmed, after the building was put up for leasehold by real estate agent Morgan Williams. A spokesperson for GO Outdoors told the that it will be moving to the old John Lewis site, adding.