Key Points
- Morleys, a south London department store near Tooting Broadway, closed after 70 years in April.
- Wandsworth Council approved plans to convert Morleys into a 92-room hotel with some retail space.
- The development is led by Criterion Capital, owner of Zedwell hotels and other properties.
- A petition with 400 signatures opposes the conversion, citing doubts about the need for a hotel.
- Labour councillor Sean Lawless and resident Jack Gebhard expressed concerns about the project.
- Labour councillor Matthew Tiller criticised the decision, advocating for housing instead of a hotel.
- Planning officer Nigel Granger stated the building isn’t currently viable for permanent housing.
- Council vote was 6 in favour and 2 against the hotel project.
- Wandsworth Council emphasised the project’s alignment with sustainable development and economic growth.
What happened to the historic Morleys department store?
Morleys, a long-standing independently-owned department store situated near Tooting Broadway in south London, ceased operations in April 2025. The store had been trading for 70 years before its closure, marking the end of a local retail era. As reported by the Metro journalist Jack Gebhard, the closure was seen by some residents as a significant loss to the community.
What are the plans approved by Wandsworth Council for Morleys?
The Wandsworth Council has given planning permission for the redevelopment of the Morleys building into a multi-use site, predominantly as a 92-room hotel with a limited portion reserved for retail space at the frontage. According to a statement given to The Independent by a council spokesperson, the approval came with conditions and is part of a broader effort to revitalise underused buildings, encourage sustainable development, and bolster local economic activity.
Who is behind the redevelopment of the Morleys building?
The project to convert Morleys into a hotel has been proposed by Criterion Capital, a real estate firm managing various multimillion-pound properties across London. Criterion Capital’s portfolio includes the Zedwell hotel chain and the Harte and Garter in Windsor, signalling their experience in hospitality and property management.
Why is there controversy regarding the hotel conversion?
The plans have met resistance from the community. A petition backed by 400 local residents opposes the hotel conversion, with concerns rooted in previous local controversies where a hotel project was repurposed as temporary housing. Labour councillor Sean Lawless, as reported by the BBC, voiced residents’ worries about the lack of tangible evidence demonstrating a genuine need for another hotel in the area. He emphasised the need for assurances that the project sticks to the proposed use.
Local resident Jack Gebhard told Metro that approving the hotel felt like “a slap in the face,” arguing that the neighbourhood is already well served by existing hotels and questioning where demand for a new one would come from.
What are the arguments favouring housing over a hotel?
Labour councillor Matthew Tiller criticised the decision, stating that the site could serve the community better if converted to residential housing rather than a hotel. He told The Independent that the approval feels like a missed opportunity to address housing shortages, expressing a desire to shift development priorities towards creating new homes rather than more hotel rooms.
What is the council’s position on the viability of housing at the site?
Planning officer Nigel Granger reassured councillors that significant changes would be necessary for alternative uses such as permanent housing. He explained, during the council meeting covered in various reports, that assessments of the building rendered it unsuitable for housing without a major new application and structural assessments, which currently do not support residential conversion.
How was the final decision made on the hotel project?
The planning approval concluded with a council vote of six in favour and two opposed, signalling majority support for the project. The decision reflects the council’s intent to regenerate the area by focusing on sustainable economic uses of vacant properties.
How has Wandsworth Council responded to public concerns?
In a comment to The Independent, a Wandsworth Council spokesperson acknowledged the community’s inputs during the consultation and reiterated the council’s commitment to balancing development with local interests. They expressed optimism that the scheme would have a positive impact, citing economic revitalisation and enhanced sustainable usage of the building as key benefits.
