Two big name brands have been confirmed as tenants at Plymouth’s newest district shopping centre.

Plymouth City Council has secured big hitters – Marks & Spencer (M&S) and Aldi for the site of the former Seaton Barracks, which is one of the last undeveloped plots within Plymouth International Medical & Technology Park.

And the M&S Foodhall will be double the size of the existing Simply Food store at its current premises next to Windsor House.

The project will deliver: 

  • 1,850 sqm (20, 000sq ft) M&S Foodhall allowing the store to relocate from its current premises next to Windsor House
  • 1,900 square metre Aldi supermarket
  • A café and drive-through with 12,000ft2 / 1,100sqm gym above
  • Two smaller retail units
  • 12 electric vehicle charging points
  • A new bus, cycle and pedestrian route helping to better connect the Tavistock Road / William Prance Road junction with Derriford hospital
  • An east-west pedestrian and cycle route along the site’s northern boundary.

The completed development, if it gets planning consent, is expected to create over 100 full time jobs as well as safeguard a further 57 full time jobs (from the existing M&S store). It builds on the work of the Council in securing the Range Head Office for the site.

It is also estimated that 120 construction jobs will be generated during the development phase. The consultant team also includes a number of local firms, including Hoare Lea and Airey & Coles, both based in Plymouth.

The delivery of a new district centre for Derriford is a key strategic objective for the Council, with the former barracks site designated as the preferred site for the district centre in the Joint Local Plan adopted in March 2019.

Council Leader Nick Kelly said: “I am incredibly happy about this development. It amplifies our message that Plymouth is open for business and we welcome new investment into our city.

“We had earmarked this site for a district centre and by investing in developing the site, we are not only attracting companies who offer good job prospects for Plymouth people, it also gives us a long term revenue income which helps reduce the burden on the Council tax payer and helps protect core services.”

Terms have already been agreed with both M&S and Aldi to enter into a lease once their new premises have been built and discussions are advanced with companies looking to take the café unit and the gym.

The development will be built by ADC Kimberley Ltd, who were selected as the Council’s preferred developer in October 2019 following a competitive bidding process.  

They will be holding an online consultation which starts today ahead of a planning application being submitted. The consultation will run until 17 November.

Jonathan Banham, Director of ADC Kimberley Ltd said: “These proposals which will breathe new life into the former Seaton Barracks Parade Ground and create a new retail and leisure hub for people living, working and studying in the local area. Over the years, the surrounding area has seen significant growth, particularly in terms of new housing development, as well as the continued importance of Derriford Hospital. The area also continues to be home to a number of major employers, with a new flagship headquarters for The Range recently developed. The site forms one of the last remaining vacant development opportunities in the area and the creation of local shopping facilities will reduce the need for people to travel further afield.”

A Property Director spokesperson for Aldi said: “We have been searching for a site in the Derriford area for some time as we know our customers are currently travelling some way to our other stores. We are delighted that the Old Barracks site has become available, and we look forward to being able to provide easier access to our great value, award-winning range.”

Theresa Furnish, M&S Regional Manager, said: “We’re really excited about these plans to relocate from our existing Simply Food store to a larger, new-design M&S Foodhall. The new store will be twice the size of our existing store and will allow us to offer a much wider range of M&S Food products, as well as a full Click & Collect service for Clothing & Home shopping. These plans mark a significant investment in the local area and will ensure local customers are getting the very best of M&S.”

Last week the leader of the Council signed a business case giving the go-ahead to a forward funding agreement of £17.86 million to facilitate the development through the Council’s Property and Regeneration Fund.

0 Comments

Comments

Nobody has commented on this post yet, why not send us your thoughts and be the first?

Leave a Reply