Petition launched to bring back Lush to Telford

Lush in Telford Shopping Centre closed to make way for the new Fashion Quarter development.

The online petition, which has been launched by Francesca Tittensor from Telford, is calling on Telford Town Centre Management to find a suitable part of the town centre so it can reopen.

A statement on Lush Telford's Facebook page announced the closure saying it was due to development work within the shopping centre and Lush being unable to find a suitable new location.

The company previously said it had been hoping to place the shop's 13 staff "elsewhere in the business".

The petition states: "Telford Lush has become so important to local people because of the amazing cruelty free natural products, passionate and helpful team of staff and also because of the promotion of incredible ethical and charitable causes the Lush brand supports as a whole.

"Lush conduct their business to be ethical such as by giving up profit in favour of donating to charities and causes to protect endangered species, promote sexual and LGBT rights and help those struck by the devastation of natural disasters."

The nearest Lush store to Telford is now 20 miles away at the Merry Hill Shopping Centre in Brierley Hill.

The petition continued: "I know that Lush Telford has a huge customer base so please please please sign this petition to get back the Lush store we know and love and share the petition with as many as possible.

"Telford Town Centre Management need to realise that Telford people want Lush back!!!"

Among those who have signed the petition is Kate Phillips, of Telford, who wrote: "Lush brings a much needed dash of colour, aroma and ethics to Telford and they are a company that supports our local charities. Lush must come back."

Emma Dainty, of Telford, also signed the petition at change.org.

She wrote: "My daughters love Lush, I know teenagers love it as a booming business, where do they go for bath bombs now?"

The Fashion Quarter will see the redevelopment and extension of New Row and New Street, retaining House of Fraser as the anchor, as well as existing tenants Zara and River Island.

Next and New Look have already signed up to be part of the new quarter.

The Fashion Quarter will see new retail and food units, along with a new plaza and link mail within the centre, a new entrance, public space, landscaping works, bus station facilities and changes to Brown Elm car park.