In brief: Opus North, Southerns, Stocksbridge Community Leisure Centre
WORK has begun on Ilkley property developer Opus North’s newest retail park.
The 174,240 sq ft Darlington North Retail Park, which has 42,000 sq ft of retail space and is close to being fully let, will create 150 jobs.
Set for completion by spring 2016, occupiers that have already signed up include retail giants Aldi, Poundland, Iceland, Card Factory and KFC.
The site, on Albert Road, is next to the North Road and Whessoe Road junctions.
Stainforth Construction of Shipley are the main contractors on the site.
Andrew Duncan, managing director of Opus North, commented: “It is tremendous news that work has now started on site at Darlington North.
“The park will revitalise an important area of the town and provide a very attractive retail offering.
“Meanwhile the sale of Darlington North is a massive endorsement of Darlington as a retail location. We have worked hard, from assembling the land which was under different ownerships, to securing a raft of very popular and successful retail occupiers, so this sale is a satisfying conclusion.”
“We have also co-operated closely and successfully with planners at Darlington Borough Council. This is a very exciting development for the town of Darlington, creating jobs and boosting the economy.”
Opus North is funded by Palmer Capital, the London-based private equity real estate investment management company.
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INTERIORS firm Southerns has completed the installation of the interiors of a £10m Loughborough University building.
The Health, Exercise and Biosciences department, will incorporate a new National Centre for Sport & Exercise Medicine, one of three such sites in the UK.
The £10m Olympic Legacy building will be a hub for sports experts and professional athletes throughout the UK and beyond.
Southerns project lead, Gaynor Smart said: “We have many years of expertise in the education sector, but this project is unique and really pushed our thought processes.
“We worked closely with the University, contractors and end-users to ensure we provided a truly eye-catching space, to match the theme of the building.
“The knowledge gathered during our sessions working with key stakeholders, helped inform an extensive research and audit programme into suitable workplace solutions.
“We then compiled a shortlist of appropriate, innovative products – from leading specialists – that would enhance the building in terms of aesthetics and practical use. The finished building is a world-leading facility and we’re proud to have played our part.”
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SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL has secured the future of Stocksbridge Community Leisure Centre.
It has secured a 25-year lease from the council, and has now become a registered charity after a campaign was launched to save it from being closed.
A seven-person board has been appointed to the community trust, and a refurbishment, partly funded by the council and partly by the public, who also contributed 2,000 hours to its refurbishment.
The property team at hlw Keeble Hawson acted on behalf of the Trust to manage the transfer of the lease.
Fay Howard, a member of SCLC’s Board of Trustees, said: “The support we’ve received to date has been tremendous and taking on the lease, thanks to Sheffield City Council, will enable future generations to enjoy the centre’s wealth of facilities.
“The expertise of hlw Keeble Hawson’s property team has ensured a smooth and timely transition.”
Claire Mayfield-Tulip, a partner at hlw Keeble Hawson, commented: “The centre has undoubtedly struck a chord with hundreds of local residents and it has been satisfying to play a role in helping to fulfil its overriding goal to sustain a secure future.”
Ongoing initiatives to raise awareness and boost funds for the centre include sponsoring a brick, where individuals can donate £20 for a plaque on a dedicated open brick wall and companies can contribute £150 for corporate sponsorship. The aim is to raise £100k towards the purchase of new biomass boilers.
