New retail park in Leeds delivers triple treat for shopaholics

Three high-profile new tenants have been announced for an east Leeds retail and leisure park that is aiming to show it is top of the shops.
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Marks & Spencer, TK Maxx and the Arcadia Group have all agreed deals to open stores at privately-backed Thorpe Park Leeds, which is scheduled to welcome its first customers in the autumn of 2018.

The M&S store’s opening will, however, mean the closure of the retailer’s existing branch in nearby Cross Gates.

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All staff roles at Cross Gates will be transferred to the new store, which is due to have a trading space of 9,000 sq ft and a 40-seater café.

Coun Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council’s executive member for regeneration, transport and planning, today hailed the investment at Thorpe Park and the jobs it will bring to the area.

He also said: “We of course understand that this [M&S] relocation will have an impact on Cross Gates and will be working with the local businesses to ensure it remains a great place for people to shop.

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“Key to this is the use of the building, which we will be trying to ensure is brought back into the right type of use to support Cross Gates as a town centre.”

Thorpe Park Leeds is a joint venture between Scarborough International Properties and Legal & General Capital.

M&S will be the co-anchor of the site’s retail offering, with Next having agreed terms as an occupier in April.

The Arcadia Group’s 10,000 sq ft unit will become one of its Outfit fashion stores, carrying brands such as Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge and Burton.

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As reported in yesterday’s Yorkshire Evening Post, the 300,000 sq ft retail and leisure park scheme has just been awarded planning permission by the city council. Construction is set to begin in the summer.

Thorpe Park Leeds is already home to a business park that boasts occupiers such as IBM, Laing O’Rourke and National Grid.