Wandsworth Council has approved plans to transform the former Morleys department store in Tooting into a 92-bed hotel, despite opposition from residents concerned over the building’s future use and local impact.
A historic building in South West London that housed the Morleys department store for 70 years is set to be transformed into a 92-bed hotel, following approval from Wandsworth Council despite local opposition. Morleys, an independent department store, closed the Tooting site in April after concluding it could no longer financially justify the upkeep and necessary updates to the building. Criterion Capital, the owner of the Zedwell hotel chain, has bought the site and plans to convert most of the building into hotel accommodation, while retaining part of the ground floor for retail use, with specific retailers yet to be announced.
This development marks a significant change in the fate of the historic building. In 2023, the previous owners had gained permission to almost fully demolish the structure to build 24 flats, but Criterion Capital's proposal for a hotel conversion was ultimately approved by the council's planning committee on October 23. The decision was met with some resistance from local residents, illustrated by a petition signed by 400 people opposing the hotel plan. Concerns focused primarily on fears that the hotel would be converted into temporary accommodation, as has occurred with a recent similar hotel in Tooting due to insufficient demand.
Labour councillor Sean Lawless expressed residents' anxieties, highlighting the lack of clear evidence supporting the need for another hotel in the area. He emphasised the importance of imposing strict conditions to ensure the hotel is used for its intended purpose—boosting tourism and encouraging visitors to spend money locally—instead of being repurposed as temporary housing. Labour councillor Matthew Tiller additionally remarked that the site represented a missed opportunity for new housing development rather than another hotel.
However, planning officers reassured the council that converting the building to alternative uses, such as permanent housing, would require a separate application and major physical modifications. Independent assessments reportedly concluded that residential development on this site would not be economically viable. Planning documents for the approval underlined that the new hotel brand would address an identified gap in the market. They contended that repurposing the existing structure offers environmental benefits by avoiding the need for complete demolition and redevelopment, alongside economic advantages including job creation and support for local employment.
The council’s planning committee voted six to two in favour of the scheme, confirming the hotel development for the former Morleys department store despite community opposition. This approval reflects a broader tension in urban planning between preserving historic retail spaces, addressing housing needs, and fostering economic growth through tourism and commercial activity.
The closure of Morleys in Tooting follows a broader strategic review by the company, which has also committed to reopening other historic stores such as the iconic Jollys store in Bath, aiming to revitalise traditional shopping experiences in selected locations. The transformation of the Tooting store into a hotel is thus part of a wider reshaping of Morleys’ retail footprint amid changing market dynamics.
📌 Reference Map:
- Paragraph 1 – [1] (MyLondon), [2] (MyLondon)
- Paragraph 2 – [1] (MyLondon), [3] (The Industry), [4] (Drapers), [5] (FashionNetwork)
- Paragraph 3 – [1] (MyLondon)
- Paragraph 4 – [1] (MyLondon)
- Paragraph 5 – [1] (MyLondon)
- Paragraph 6 – [1] (MyLondon)
- Paragraph 7 – [6] (Retail Week), [7] (Retail Bulletin)
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative reports on the conversion of the former Morleys department store in Tooting into a 92-bed hotel, following its closure in April 2025. The earliest known publication date for this development is October 23, 2025, when Wandsworth Council approved the hotel conversion. The closure of Morleys was reported in January 2025, with the store ceasing operations on April 30, 2025. ([theindustry.fashion](https://www.theindustry.fashion/morleys-shutters-department-store-after-70-years/?utm_source=openai)) The report appears to be based on a recent council decision, indicating a high freshness score. However, if the content is republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks, this would be flagged as recycled content. Additionally, if earlier versions show different figures, dates, or quotes, these discrepancies would be noted. If the narrative includes updated data but recycles older material, this may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from Labour councillors Sean Lawless and Matthew Tiller, expressing concerns about the hotel conversion. The earliest known usage of these quotes is from the council meeting on October 23, 2025. If identical quotes appear in earlier material, this would be flagged as potentially reused content. If quote wording varies, the differences would be noted. If no online matches are found, this would raise the score but be flagged as potentially original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from MyLondon, a local news outlet. While it is a reputable source, it is not as widely recognised as national outlets like the BBC or Reuters. The report cites official council documents and includes direct quotes from council members, which supports its reliability. However, if the narrative originates from an obscure, unverifiable, or single-outlet source, this would flag the uncertainty. Additionally, if a person, organisation, or company mentioned in the report cannot be verified online, this would be flagged as potentially fabricated.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative reports on the conversion of the former Morleys department store into a hotel, following its closure in April 2025. This development aligns with the earlier reported closure of the store and the council's approval of the hotel conversion. The concerns raised by local residents about the potential for temporary accommodation are plausible, given similar developments in the area. The language and tone are consistent with typical council communications and local news reporting. However, if the narrative lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, this would be flagged. Additionally, if the report lacks specific factual anchors, such as names, institutions, or dates, this would reduce the score and be flagged as potentially synthetic. If the tone is unusually dramatic, vague, or doesn't resemble typical corporate or official language, this would be flagged for further scrutiny.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative provides a timely and plausible account of the conversion of the former Morleys department store into a hotel, supported by direct quotes from council members and consistent with previous reports. The source is reputable, and the content appears original. No significant issues were identified that would undermine the credibility of the report.
