Scotch Corner Designer Village makes 19 new signings
Developer Scotch Corner Richmond is investing £130m into the 50-acre site, which will have 73 stores and a GLA of 187,000 sq ft.
Phase one of the scheme, the 73 stores, is halfway through construction and is now 82% pre-let.
Construction of the remaining 50% of phase one will recommence in September, with the hub due to open in spring 2027.
Retail brands Guess, Castore, Monsoon, Jack & Jones, Molton Brown, Brook Taverner, White Stuff, Haribo, Lindt, Superdry, Radley London, Hobbs, Phase Eight and M&S have joined existing brands Boss, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Levis, Skechers, Clarks, Moss, and Dune London.
Newly signed eateries Pizza Express, Pret A Manger, 2000 Coffee, Knoops, and Slim Chickens will join already signed Wagamama and Five Guys
Plans for the wider 100-acre site, also owned by SCR, include a hotel, drive-thru, petrol station, and employment units, as well as a 330,000 sq ft film and TV studio. SCR is in active discussion with a UK film production company regarding the studio.
Research by Knight Frank recently found that the UK film industry needs an additional 6m sq ft of production space by next year, to keep up with growing demand.
On-site parking will also be created, with 2000 spaces and 250 EV charging points, and around 1,300 jobs will be created by the scheme, including 300 in the construction phase.
Nearby, Rolls-Royce has shortlisted Scotch Corner for a £200m, 247,000 sq ft factory to manufacture parts for its small modular reactor programme, part of the government’s drive towards clean energy.
Located at the junction of the A1(M) and A66, approximately 44m people drive past the site each year, and the developer has predicted an annual footfall of 4m visitors.
SCR also believes that the destination will be the UK’s sixth largest outlet centre in terms of sales density, rising to third once the site has reached full maturity.
Sarah Hodkinson, leasing director Scotch Corner Designer Village, said: “We are thrilled with the enthusiasm of both major retail brands and the local community. Dozens of high-profile brands have signed with us.
“This is a vote of confidence and a superb, good news story for the region and the whole of the north of England”
Former Prime Minister and local MP Rishi Sunak commented: “I think this is good news for the area. The hundreds of people that will be employed there represent a huge local economic boost.
“Also, I think the designer outlet concept will attract shoppers from across the North of England and that will have benefits beyond the confines of the development.”
Developer Simon Waterfield added: “This increased visitor time to the region is expected to boost the local economy substantially with additional tourism, overnight and longer visits.”
