Shopping centre set for £10m facelift

A WARWICKSHIRE shopping centre is set to undergo a £10m facelift under new plans submitted by developers.

Cobalt Estates, in association with developers Discovery Properties, has confirmed it has submitted a planning application to carry out the refurbishment to the north side of Talisman shopping centre in Kenilworth.

The developer has submitted an application to Warwick District Council which incorporates five retail units at ground floor level – comprising 13,000 sq ft – and 107 student apartments above.

If successful in securing planning permission from Warwick District Council, the developer aims to start construction in spring 2017 with completion expected for September 2018.

Hugo Hawkings, chief of executive of Discovery Properties, said: “We are pleased to have submitted the planning application to continue our investment in the development of Talisman.

“We believe developing the north side of the centre will bring a multitude of benefits to Kenilworth, including bringing new retailers, new jobs and increased wealth to the area.

“The project involves an investment of around £10m, so it’s vital we get the plans right, which is why we’ve taken our time to revise some of the elements of the plan based on the feedback we received during the consultation we held in the winter.”

He said the firm had been encouraged by the positive reaction the plans had received from existing tenants, neighbours and the local community.

Talisman shopping centre includes major retailers such as WHSmith, Waitrose, Costa Coffee, Boots and a range of independent traders.

New retailers will be announced during the development stage – providing the planning application is successful.