Despite a rise in consumer confidence only four mixed-use retail and leisure schemes are currently under construction or recently opened in the country at present. One of these is the Parkgate scheme in Shirley, Solihull, which opened its doors this week after 10 years in the pipeline.
The £85 million retail development is anchored by an 80,000 square foot Asda superstore and also provides space for a further 26 shops, restaurants and cafes – several of which are already opened for business. Tenants already signed up for units include JD Wetherspoon, Peacocks and Starbucks amongst others, leading analysts to believe that the development could spark a number of regeneration and development schemes to the local area.
The project was spearheaded by local firm Shirley Advance, which has encountered numerous difficulties in getting construction work off the ground since the agreement over the use of land was signed in May 2004. Representative Robert Birch explains some of the problems encountered by the developer in the past decade, saying; “There was a huge consultation, planning processes, compulsory purchases and the recession.
“We had to get new planning consent, it was eventually confirmed in the summer of 2011 and we started building early in 2012.
“We are all really proud of what we have achieved here – we stuck with it but there are many others that wouldn’t have done.”
While the current site for Parkgate has been ten years in the making, the story actually starts in 1993 with Asda’s purchase of the former headquarters of Powergen, which lies on the opposite side of Stratford Road. Following a battle over the original site’s intended change of use, the decision was made to transfer plans across the road and develop the current site instead.
In summary, then, it has been a long wait but Mr Birch believes that all of Shirley Advance’s hard work has been worthwhile. The scheme has already proven popular, with yet more retailers due to be announced when contracts have been finalised.
He continues; “It is not the end yet, there is going to be more good news over the next few weeks and months.
“Seventy per cent of additional floor space over and above the Asda store is already let or being fitted out or in lawyers’ hands, which in this current climate we are absolutely delighted about. It is a good scheme in a good location.”
The Parkgate scheme is already proving beneficial to the local community: Shirley Library has already relocated to a unit within the development, while community groups such as the Royal British Legion and Camp Hill Rugby Club have seen their facilities upgraded as part of ongoing development works.
