Capital Shopping Centres (CSC) yesterday (December 7, 2011) submitted a planning application for a £180-million (approx. 210 million) investment in its Lakeside center in Thurrock which will include an extended retail offer and improved transportation links.
The investment will include the addition of 30,000 m² of additional net retail sales space at the northern end of the center increasing the size of Lakeside by nearly a third. This will incorporate up to 40 new stores alongside the recent flagship TopShop/TopMan which opened last month and the new Forever 21 store which will open at Lakeside at the end of next year.
The works will also include an improved transport infrastructure comprising a new bus station linked to Chafford Hundred rail station and provision for a link road to the north of the center. There will also be a new landscaped external street and public square.
The extension will see the creation of around 2,600 permanent roles at completion and 1,000 jobs during the construction phase.
The application follows months of public consultation which saw the planned expansion backed by 88% of those who provided views at a recent public exhibition in the center and online.
Jonathan Ainsley, Director of Asset Management (South) at CSC said: "Lakeside, which celebrated its 21st anniversary this year, continues to be high on retailers' wishlists as evidenced by the recent Arcadia and Forever 21 deals and the planned extension enables us to accommodate bigger and better stores for many more retailers too. We aim to continually evolve and invest in our centers to ensure we are offering the best experience for our shoppers as we can."
If the plans, which have been submitted in an outline application to Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Council, receive planning consent, construction could begin onsite as early as 2013 with the full scheme fully open in 2016.
Source: Capital Shopping Centres
