The move comes as John Lewis was forced to shut eight more stores across the country
Retailer John Lewis is preparing to become a large private landlord after unveiling plans to build 10,000 new homes on land it owns across the UK.
The new homes will be built over the next 10 years on land currently used as car parks and above Waitrose supermarkets.
The company has reportedly already found space for 7,000 rental homes, and plans to submit planning applications early next year.
Those who rent a property from John Lewis will be given the option to have it furnished with company products or to do it themselves.
According to The Sunday Times, John Lewis plans to develop its first new homes in southeast of England first before potentially spreading further afield.
Properties on the sites will reportedly come in various sizes, from studios to four-bedroom homes, and will have a concierge service and potentially a small Waitrose store.
In addition, it is suggested there are plans to offer company employees, of which there are more than 80,000, reduced rent.
John Lewis has 34 department stores across the country, seven warehouses and a further 331 Waitrose stores which could be potential sites of interest.
The move comes as John Lewis was forced to shut eight more stores across the country, putting 1,465 jobs at risk, in March.
John Lewis’ property director Chris Harris told The Sunday Times: Typically a developer might try and maximise returns and then move onto the next one. We are not trying to do that. We are aiming to charge a fair rent and to stay for the long haul.
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