RETAIL giant John Lewis has insisted its decision not to come to Brighton is not an indication of its fading belief in the British high street.

It stunned councillors and shoppers on Wednesday by announcing it would not open a department store in the building it owns in North Street, the current site of Boots travel agents First Choice.

Despite owning the property since March 2015, John Lewis said it “cannot deliver a shop on this site with the extent of demolition and rebuilding required”.

A spokeswoman said: “When the building came up for sale, we took the opportunity to purchase it as we had a long held ambition to have a store in Brighton.

“Unfortunately, however, after looking into all the detail over the past year, we have explored all options but we cannot deliver a shop on this site with the extent of demolition and construction required.”

The spokeswoman said this response was “self explanatory” and insisted the company strategy had not ruled out more stores.

This year the partnership cut its staff dividend payment to its lowest level since 1954.

In March, new boss Paula Nickolds told a national newspaper that after three then-scheduled stores were built the company was unlikely to open any more.

Boots has extended its lease.