The finishing touches are being made to Mercia Marina’s new £1.7m Boardwalk development before a public Grand Opening event planned for the weekend of October 11-12.
The Boardwalk will consist of six retail units, a central pub-restaurant and four first-floor offices.
As well as the pub-restaurant, which is being operated by Hillary & Scott, other tenants include flagship farm shop The Butcher, The Baker, The Ice Cream Maker; womenswear retailer Blue Water, which also has stores in Belper and Sadler Gate in Derby; and Molly & Co accessories store, a sister company of Blue Water.
Negotiations are underway for the remaining units, though expressions of interest are still welcome.
Beauty therapist Anna Bovey is expecting to open her new salon at the development by mid-September.
Anna (23), of Hilton, South Derbyshire, is hoping Elegant Touch Beauty will be the first business to open at the marina’s new retail, leisure and office development.
Anna, who has previously run her business from a rented room at another salon, said: “When one of my clients told me about the new development at Mercia Marina, I knew it would be the perfect location for my first salon.
“I can’t think of any other beauty salon that can boast such a fantastic and tranquil waterside view.”
Anna, who offers a wide variety of treatments including massage, waxing, ‘Elemis’ facials and ‘Jessica’ manicures and pedicures, said Elegant Touch Beauty would have a “relaxing and very high quality feel” to complement Mercia Marina and the other businesses on the 74-acre site.
“Setting up my own salon is something I always intended to do,” said Anna. “But I can’t believe it’s all about to happen! I’m a little nervous but I’m also really excited at the prospect of seeing my dream become a reality. I’m also extremely grateful to my family and clients, who have all supported me since I made the decision.”
She added that she hoped to expand her business in the future, initially by employing apprentices.
Elegant Touch Beauty at Mercia Marina is set to open to the public sometime between the beginning and middle of September.
Robert Neff, general manager of Mercia Marina, Europe’s largest inland marina, said: “Elegant Touch Beauty will be a fantastic addition to the make-up of businesses that have currently signed up for our new units. We have no doubt that Anna’s salon will be a huge success.
“We also look forward to welcoming all of Anna’s clients to Mercia Marina – perhaps for the first time in many cases. I’m certain they’ll be hard-pressed to find a more perfect location for their treatments.”
In addition to the retail and office units at The Boardwalk, Mercia Marina has also received the go-ahead for six floating businesses operating from moored canal boats. The waterfront development will also include an outdoor events space, a sensory garden, new nature trails and free parking areas.
The Grand Opening celebration on October 11-12 will include street performers, live music, activities for children, boat trips and fireworks. Details will be announced closer to the date.
