The regions have benefited hugely in 2014 from widespread improvements to their local retail offerings, boosting footfall levels in town centres and creating opportunities for retailers to expand. Fortunately, it seems that this trend will carry through into 2015, following work officially beginning on Kirkstall’s new shopping centre.
The £20 million project will see Yorkshire based Carrick Construction create a new shopping park in the town, which is close to Leeds, to be known as Kirkstall Bridge Shopping Park. In total, the complex will create 120,000 sq ft of retail space which is expected to open by Christmas 2015.
Managing director at Caddick Construction, Andrew Murray, says; “Securing this major project in Kirkstall is a great addition to our retail portfolio of work.
“This is an exciting time for the region and we’re proud to have been chosen to deliver this sensational project.
“We have a vast amount of retail experience, having recently undertaken work on the new Vangarde Shopping Park in York, the Ellesmere Shopping Centre in Walkden and the shopping parade in Rotherham – these projects demonstrate our capability in delivering high quality retail projects from £1 million to £30 million.”
As with many retail developments of this kind, the Kirkstall Bridge Shopping Park has already proved popular with national retailers and leisure operators. A number of the units have been pre-let despite the fact construction work has only just begun, with brands including Marks & Spencer, BHS, JD Sports, Outfit, Costa Coffee and Pure Gym due to take up space when the destination opens next year.
The timing of construction has proven very fortuitous as work will coincide with infrastructure improvements in Kirkstall Forge. A new railway station and access road will be completed by summer 2015, providing visitors with a greater level of access to the shopping destination.
Metric Property Kirkstall Ltd representative Nick Heath believes yet more big name brands will come forward to take up space as the construction phase progresses.
He says; “We are pleased to be working with Caddick Construction and it’s great to see the first stages of the new Kirkstall Shopping Park moving along with the demolition of the old BHS building.
“We have already completed some exciting deals, bringing quality brands such as JD Sports, Marks & Spencer, Costa Coffee and Pure Gym to the area.
“The combined leisure and retail creates an attractive shopping destination and as such we continue to receive positive interest in the site.”
