The developers behind the new Victoria Gate shopping centre in Leeds, formerly known as the Eastgate Quarters, have confirmed that work on the project will finally begin next month after planning consent was granted last September.
The new shopping centre will face stiff competition from the popular Trinity Leeds
The £150 million scheme will join names such as the Bullring in Birmingham and the Brent Cross Centre in London in developer Hammerson’s portfolio.
Under the plans, the existing structure will be replaced by a state of the art development comprising of a flagship John Lewis store, a casino and several restaurants. In addition, a new multi storey car park will be constructed in order to ease demand for parking in the surrounding city centre area.
Work will officially begin on the 7th of April, with Hammerson expecting the Victoria Gate centre to open in 2016. Richard Lewis, Leeds councillor, welcomed the news, claiming it will encourage “much needed economic growth” in the northern city upon completion of the project.
According to Leeds Council, the first phase of construction is expected to create around 1,000 jobs in the local area, with a further 1,500 jobs created in the retail and hospitality industries upon completion.
Chief executive of Hammerson, David Atkins, voiced his excitement at the upcoming construction phase.
He said; “A huge amount of hard work and commitment from the team, the council and John Lewis has enabled us to reach this point.
“As we begin the delivery phase our focus is now to ensure we attract the best retailers and to ensure that on opening in 2016, Victoria Gate becomes a thriving destination within Leeds.”
However, the development will face significant competition upon opening, mainly from the other major retail development in Leeds. Trinity Leeds became the only major shopping centre to open in the UK in 2013 and, costing £350 million, uses the latest technological advancements to keep consumers up to date with retailers and leisure firms within the sprawling scheme.
The centre has already proved immensely popular with local consumers, so Hammerson has something of a challenge on its hands to match or even surpass this success. It will certainly be interesting to see how the two large scale developments compare, and if there is space for both in these uncertain economic times.
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