Phase one of Grantham Designer Outlet Village has started on site.
The 270,000 sq ft scheme, which is being developed by property investor Buckminster and designer outlet retail specialist Rioja Estates, will bring £100m of inward investment and could create up to 1,500 full and part-time jobs after it opens in 2023.
Featuring up to 90 stores, restaurants and coffee shops in phase one, with up to 50 more proposed for phase two, the Grantham Designer Outlet Village will create an exciting destination for people across the East Midlands and beyond.
At a ground-breaking ceremony to mark the start on site, Giles Membrey, Managing Director of Rioja Estates, said: “Machines on the ground today will create opportunities for local residents, businesses, and national and international brands tomorrow.
“Our scheme will offer a memorable day out for those who live nearby and those from farther afield, while retailers and restaurants that open here will benefit from a catchment that includes the residents, students, workers and tourists of towns and cities such as Cambridge, Nottingham, Leicester, and Lincoln.
“We are supporting local jobs both during and beyond construction and are championing Grantham which will benefit from additional footfall from visitors to the outlet village.”
B+K Regional Director, Gary Bradley, said: ““Bowmer + Kirkland is delighted to be the main contractor on this prestigious designer outlet retail village for Buckminster and Rioja Estates.
“We have delivered construction projects worth over £4.1 bn in the retail sector and more than £1.2bn specifically for non-food retail clients – including a recently completed designer outlet village in Cannock and a further phase to the Fosse Park shopping destination in Leicester.
“Our team – all of whom are local to Grantham and the surrounding area – are looking forward to working on this project which will create hundreds of jobs for local tradespeople and sub-contractors.”
Pictured at the ceremony are Councillor Kelham Cooke, Leader of South Kesteven District Council, William Lee, Director at Buckminster, Giles Membrey and Gary Bradley.