The number of retail and leisure redevelopments continues to gather pace with developers constantly seeking profitable opportunities following several years of recession. This week, British Land has confirmed it will seek planning permission for a large scale revamp of The New Mersey Shopping Park in Speke, Merseyside, which, if approved, will create up to 1,000 jobs for the local community.
Although British Land is not the outright owner of the retail park, it has been heavily involved in the site since 2005 when it acquired a large stake in ownership body the Speke Unit Trust. Furthermore, British Land is the property advisor for the retail complex and is therefore well placed to pinpoint potential improvements which could raise the prestige and consumer interest in the destination.
Under the current plans, the current Currys retail unit will be replaced by a new multiplex cinema, which Cineworld has already expressed an interest in leasing, and Currys will move to the vacant Comet store. Six restaurant units will also be created on and around the plot in question, while existing retail units will be adjusted as a means of offering new and existing tenants a more flexible layout.
Centre manager for the New Mersey Shopping Park, Neil Ashcroft, is hopeful that Liverpool council will recognise the benefits of upgrading existing facilities and introducing a new leisure element.
He says; “Our proposals provide a fantastic opportunity to continue the recent investment in, and regeneration of, the Speke area.
“Brand new leisure facilities in the form of a cinema and restaurants will transform the shopping park into an attractive retail and leisure destination for this area of the city.
“We are pleased to be working closely with Liverpool council’s in house work service, Liverpool in Work and the local employment agency to target new job and business opportunities for local people and businesses.”
Along with providing local consumers with a more diverse leisure offering, the redevelopment would also create up to 1,000 jobs. Around 600 of these would consist of both full and part time positions in the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors while the remaining 390 would be created during the construction process.
As part of the planning process, representatives from British Land will be holding a public consultation and staging an exhibition in order to determine what, if any, changes local customers and retailers would choose to make to the existing plans. Comments will be reviewed and considered before a final application is submitted to Liverpool council’s planning committee later this year.
Planning manager for British Land, David Bloy, says; “Prior to submitting a planning application we are committed to consulting with local stakeholders, our retailers, residents and shoppers.
“We are holding a public exhibition displaying the proposals and inviting interested parties, including local residents, to tell us their views.”
Mr Bloy also confirmed that the developer is already holding talks with Liverpool council as a means of ensuring all jobs created by the redevelopment would be earmarked for local residents.
