Retail giant to anchor Thorpe Park Leeds scheme

Next will occupy a store with a gross internal area of 18,000 sq ft at Thorpe Park Leeds, the business park which is set for further development into a major strategic mixed-use scheme.

Thorpe Park Developments, a joint venture between Scarborough Group International and Legal & General Capital, is already progressing works on site to deliver phase two comprising more than 1.3 million sq ft of mixed-use accommodation.

Mark Jackson, consultant for Scarborough Group International, said: ""The deal with Next is a major milestone for Thorpe Park Leeds which until now has remained a successful yet traditional business park.

""Radical plans for phase two will change all of that, transforming Thorpe Park Leeds into a true mixed use destination, delivering on site amenities for an anticipated 13,500 working population at the park as well as the surrounding communities.""

A Next spokesman added: ""Thorpe Park Leeds is a great location for Next with its dense population catchment and position on the strategic road network. We can see that it is already a vibrant environment that will be enhanced further with the extension of the business park, the new shops and restaurants, new homes and public space.

""We are very pleased to be involved in such an important project for the city of Leeds, and look forward to delivering our new store in this prominent location.""

Planning permission was granted last month (March) for a new 60,000 sq ft multi-screen cinema in phase two which also includes 140 acres of parkland and sports facilities.

Thorpe Park Developments Ltd has confirmed that detailed discussions are ongoing with a number of other major operators to fulfil the retail and leisure provision well in advance of development.