The New Year will see construction begin at Willowburn Retail Park in Alnwick according to owners and developers, Northumberland Estates.
Having agreed terms with national retailer M&S Food Hall, local Alnwick butchery business Turnbulls and coffee chain Starbucks, work can now commence with completion due in August 2019.
A planning application for this exciting new development on land adjacent to Willowburn Avenue and to the south of the town, was granted in June of this year. The Retail Park, which is ideally located close to the A1 junction, will total 37,405 sq.ft. of retail floorspace once full phase development is complete, and will have onsite parking for some 200 vehicles. Units up to 20,000 sq.ft. remain available to let, with negotiations underway with a number of retailers.
Says Colin Davidson, Commercial Property Director at Northumberland Estates; “This is an exciting new development for Alnwick which will create jobs, provide improved services for the immediate locality, and generally do much to enhance this part of the town. The new retail complements the existing offer close by which includes Sainsbury’s, Argos, Homebase, Pets at Home and McDonalds. It marks the next step in making Willowburn a destination shopping location for both Alnwick and the surrounding area, helping to improve footfall and bringing with it knock on benefits for the town centre itself and minimise the flow of shopping spend to other larger retail centres.”
Asset Manager at Northumberland Estates Anthony Cape who is in charge of lettings at the new Retail Park says, “The commitment of well known household names at a time when much of the retail sector is in a state of flux, underlines the potential and desirability of a site which lies in a prominent retail location. The provision of modern, purpose built facilities with onsite parking provides an ideal opportunity for local and national retailers alike”
