Wholesale chain Costco will not open its highly-anticipated new warehouse in High Wycombe, it has been confirmed, despite backing for the plans from Wycombe District Council. 

Fans of the shopping giant will be disappointed to learn that plans to build the cash and carry at the site of the former park and ride in Crest Road will not go ahead. 

Plans for the warehouse, which would have had a 586 space car park and created 250 jobs, had been in the pipeline since 2015 after Costco bought the land from the council, subject to planning permission.

Councillors gave the plans the green light in May last year despite some concerns over the impact it could have on traffic in the area.

However, following rumours that the plans had stalled, it has now finally been confirmed by the company that the warehouse will not open. 

Despite questions from the Bucks Free Press, the retailer remained tight-lipped on the future of the warehouse.

But a reader who was keen to see the new store open in High Wycombe shared a message she received from the company on social media, which said they were planning to focus on their existing warehouses – the closest one being in Reading or Watford.

It said: “Having explored the potential to develop a new warehouse in the High Wycombe area over the last few years, the company has decided to not continue with the development of this location for a membership warehouse club at this moment in time.

“We wish to continue our focus on serving existing members in our current trading locations.”

In response to the message, a Costco spokesman said: “I can confirm that the Facebook post is correct and that we have no further comment at this time.”