Member Article

Work begins on Darlington retail park set to create 150 jobs

Work has commenced on site the Darlington North Retail Park, which is being developed by property and investment company, Opus North.

The four-acre retail park, which is almost fully-let, is set to open in Spring 2016 and will create 150 jobs.

Occupiers signed up for the park include retail giants Aldi, Poundland and Iceland, together with a KFC Drive Thru restaurant, Card Factory, Jolleys Pet Store and Barnados.

The park is being built on land on Albert Road, next to its junction with North Road and Whessoe Road. Stainforth Construction of Shipley are the main contractors.

Just prior to work starting on site, Darlington North was sold to the British Steel Pension Fund for an undisclosed sum.

Andrew Duncan, managing director of Opus North, commented: “It is tremendous news that work has now started on site at Darlington North. The park will revitalise an important area of the town and provide a very attractive retail offering.

“Meanwhile the sale of Darlington North is a massive endorsement of Darlington as a retail location. We have worked hard, from assembling the land which was under different ownerships, to securing a raft of very popular and successful retail occupiers, so this sale is a satisfying conclusion.”

“We have also co-operated closely and successfully with planners at Darlington Borough Council. This is a very exciting development for the town of Darlington, creating jobs and boosting the economy.”

The 42,000 sq ft park comprises nine units, including the new 16,480 sq ft Aldi supermarket; the KFC drive thru’ restaurant; the 6,907 sq ft Iceland Foods store; and the range of non-food retail units. There is one 1,400 sq ft retail unit still available to lease. All the units offer modern retail warehouse accommodation and there will be 157 free car parking spaces.

Mr Duncan explained: “We have had excellent feedback from local residents and businesses and we were grateful to know they were positive about our proposals, like the planners. The retail park will bring a range of retailers not currently located in this part of town, improving choice and convenience for local shoppers.”

Coun Bill Dixon, Leader of Darlington Borough Council said: “It’s great to see work start on this exciting new development. This is the culmination of some great partnership working with Opus, which will bring 150 new jobs and further choice of shops to the public. It’s fantastic to see another developer putting their faith in Darlington, proving it’s a town worth investing in. I’m confident that this will be another popular destination for shoppers from both inside and outside of the borough.”

The letting agents for North Darlington Retail Park are the Leeds office of CBRE and Griffiths Procter of Newcastle. DTZ advised the British Steel Pension Fund, while the Leeds office of Shulmans provided legal advice for Opus North and Leeds property consultancy Gent Visick provided investment advice.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .