Work resumes on Scotch Corner Designer Village
Originally due to open in 2021, phase one of the 100-acre site is now on track to complete in spring 2027.
Developer Scotch Corner Richmond, spearheaded by property developer Simon Waterfield, has completed 50% of phase one of the site, which comprises 73 stores set over 50 acres.
The project was approved in 2015 and has been plagued by delays. Following a lack of progress at the site in recent months, SCR has now confirmed surveyors and remedial teams are working on site.
The project team includes architect Corstorphine & Wright, project manager and quantity surveyor Burnley Wilson Fish, civil and structural engineer BJB Consulting, M&E engineer Cundall, planning consultant Q+A Planning, main contractor Bowmer + Kirkland, highways consultant Peter Evans Partnership, and fit-out by Enborne.
Plans for the wider 100-acre site 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.
Phase one, the retail area, will have a gross lettable area of 400,000 sq ft, 82% of which is already pre-let to brands such as Guess, Castore, Monsoon, Haribo, Lindt, Superdry, Boss, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Levis, Skechers, Clarks, Moss, and Dune London.
On-site parking will also be created, with 2,000 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.
Projections by Ken Gunn Consulting has said it expects an annual footfall of 4m for phase one once it is complete, with annual turnover of £115m. It also expects the site to be a top three UK performer once fully complete.
