A NORTH East business park has unveiled plans for a new 10,000 sq ft retail scheme, to be built and opened next year.
Tesco Express has pre-let a medium-sized unit, and Greggs the high street bakers and local coffee deli sandwich retailer Eat@ have also agreed to take over smaller units next summer at the Quorum Business Park at Newcastle.
The scheme is expected to create at least 25 new jobs which could rise to more than 30 in the unemployment blackspot.
As part of the deal Quorum has sold the site to Northumberland estates – the property development and management company of the Duke of Northumberland – which will be responsible for the building phase and will retain ownership of the completed scheme. There will also be a restaurant on the site and discussions are currently at an early stage with a number of potential operators.
Quorum Business Park development director Fergus Trim said: “This is a key milestone for us to see construction get under way on the retail parade.
“It will enhance staff and visitors’ experience on the site and forms a key part of our plan to create a first-class business park with first-class facilities. We hope the retail parade becomes the central hub for the park where occupiers can get the essentials or enjoy a leisurely lunch.”
The retail parade will also include a landscaped area in front of the shops, providing a communal outdoor green space and seating area.
Northumberland Estates commercial property manager Colin Davidson said: “With the growing working population at Quorum, this was a good quality investment for us to expand our interests in the region.
“The Northumberland Estates are particularly enthusiastic about this development, as the new retail amenities will help attract further employment at Quorum and help support the region.
Staff numbers at the park have grown steadily over the past 18 months, with several high-profile arrivals such as Tesco Bank and Balfour Beatty. There are now more than 3,500 people working at the business park with numbers expected to rise to around 9,000 as new occupiers move in. Development work on the retail park will also include a new base for the on-site Quorum team, where tenants can find information about on site events and activities, travel routes and discounts and use of the on site sports facilities.
Two ‘speculative’ buildings under construction will be finished early next year and developers hope the economy will pick up enough to find businesses willing to move in.
