Work begins on new £90m city retail and stadium development
CONSTRUCTION work has commenced on the £90m Vangarde development in York which is set to deliver 1,000 new jobs to the city and provide significant funding for the new 6,000 seat Community Stadium.
The Vangarde development secured outline planning permission from City of York Council in July 2012 and will be home to the city’s first John Lewis store, Next and a flagship Marks & Spencer store.
Richard France, managing director of The Oakgate Group, commented: “After nearly three-and-a-half years of preparation and planning, it’s great to see a start on site. Work was delayed due to ecological reasons, being the re-housing of the Great Crested Newts and the unseasonably cold Easter this year. We can now start in earnest to deliver not only 1,000 jobs but help secure the sporting legacy of the Community Stadium.
“York and its residents will soon be able to see for themselves the investment taking shape. It’s an exciting time for the city and a £12m annual boost to the city’s economy allowing York to cement itself as a major retail destination in Yorkshire so soon after the opening of Trinity Quarter in Leeds.” 
The development on the outskirts of the City will also include a 6,000 seat community stadium which will be home to York City FC and the York City Knights.
Councillor James Alexander, leader of York City Council, said: “This development marks an exciting period for York and its residents and sends a strong signal to the marketplace that York is open for business and open for opportunity. Not only is the retail offer in York being enhanced, providing an economic boost to the city, but this is another major step forward in the delivery of the Community Stadium – which will provide a new home for our professional sports clubs, community health and sporting facilities to be proud of.”
Caddick Construction was awarded the contract to build the new shopping destination to the north of the city. Andrew Murray, managing director, at Caddick Construction, commented: “We are responsible for delivering 339,000 sq ft of quality retail space, all associated infrastructure and site works. Construction work is expected to take 50 weeks to complete and with our experienced team we will deliver.”
The new flagship development which is financially supported by Bank Leumi and is due to open before Easter 2014 will house John Lewis, Next and Marks and Spencer stores, and will include a range of restaurants and retail kiosks. There will also be a boulevard and a central walkway linking the stores to the Monks Cross park and ride site, designed to facilitate linked trips to the city centre.
