WORK to build a new multi-million retail park in Weymouth has finally begun – with businesses set to open in mid-2022.
The Weymouth Gateway scheme, by LondonMetric Property and Avercet, will include three ‘big box’ retail warehouse units, two restaurants or coffee shops.
It will transform undeveloped land to the east of Mercery Road, opposite the Aldi supermarket, and include outlets for B&M, Dunelm, Costa and McDonald’s.
The retail development is set to create hundreds of jobs and provide a major boost to Weymouth’s economy. It is expected to generate around £5 million and £6m in business rates every year.
Development partners LondonMetric Property and Avercet have broken ground on schedule for the project.
The contractor leading the build is Dorset-based Mildren Construction, which also constructed the Aldi supermarket.
Visiting the scene, a number of construction vehicles are currently digging up the ground while some workers also appear to be surveying the land which has been fenced off to the public.
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The project is creating 50 construction jobs and, once completed, is expected to generate some 280 year-round jobs once complete.
A spokeswoman for the scheme said the retail park is targeted to be completed for late 2022, but there will be a phased opening with the restaurants expected to be trading by the middle of next year.
Chris Newns, director of Avercet, said: “We’re delighted to be progressing our proposals so quickly.
“Once completed, they will revitalise a site that has been an unproductive brownfield for more than a decade, bringing much-need permanent jobs, investment and economic stimulus to Weymouth.”
Minor changes have already been made to the site, including minor reconfiguration of the internal ‘spine’ road and associated car parking alterations, and relocation of an external compound sales area at unit three to be moved to unit two.
The changes, approved by Dorset Council, will mean that discount retailer B&M can switch places with Dunelm, in line with the retailers' requirements.
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