Primark opened its Epsom store on 25 March 2026, filling the former House of Fraser unit at the Ashley Centre after nearly three years of vacancy. The 44,000 sq ft shop spans two floors and offers womenswear, menswear, kidswear, homeware, and accessories.
The retailer has created approximately 90 new roles for the town. Philippa Nibbs, Primark sales director, said the company offers opportunities for people at all career stages, including those returning to work after a career break.
A Long-Awaited Arrival
House of Fraser closed its Epsom branch in June 2022, leaving a prominent gap on the High Street. Primark first confirmed plans for the site in 2023, with signage appearing earlier this year. The store features click and collect services alongside its full retail range.
Will Greenland, assistant centre manager at the Ashley Centre, said: "Primark's arrival will not only bring a fantastic new retail offer to Epsom, but it will create new job opportunities, increase footfall, and further elevate the centre's role as a prime shopping destination in the community."
The store joins JD Sports, Next, Marks & Spencer, and Oliver Bonas at the centre.
Concurrent Development at Alexandra Road
The Primark opening coincides with construction of a new Aldi supermarket on the former Dairy Crest site on Alexandra Road. Work began in February 2026 on the £5 million development, which is expected to open in late October 2026.
The Dairy Crest site has remained vacant since the factory closed in 2013 and buildings were demolished in 2017. Aldi first applied for planning permission in 2015, but the proposal was refused by Epsom & Ewell Borough Council and dismissed on appeal in 2017. Revised plans for a standalone supermarket were granted permission in 2025.
The new store will include 66 car parking spaces with EV charging points, four blue badge bays, and three parent-and-child spaces. Aldi expects to create 40 to 50 permanent jobs.
Epsom's Broader Appeal
The retail investment comes as Epsom was named 12th in Garrington's Best Places to Live index, the highest-ranked town in Surrey. The assessment cited strong schools, employment opportunities, and transport links as key factors. Epsom station offers direct services to London Waterloo, Victoria, and London Bridge in 35 to 40 minutes.
The index noted the town's extensive green spaces, including Epsom Downs, Epsom Common Local Nature Reserve, Horton Country Park, Rosebery Park, Alexandra Park, and Court Recreation Ground. The average cost of a 1,500 sq ft family home in Epsom was calculated at £712,105, representing a 0.28 per cent decrease over the past year.
What This Means for Residents
The Primark and Aldi developments address two long-standing vacant sites in the town centre and surrounding area. The Ashley Centre has repositioned itself with a mix of national retailers since the House of Fraser closure, while the Alexandra Road development ends an 11-year wait for the former Dairy Crest site to be redeveloped.
Together, the two stores are expected to add approximately 130 jobs to the local economy and increase footfall in the town centre.