Building work starts on M5 designer outlet
Developers say 1,000 jobs will be created
BUILDERS have started work on the Designer Outlet Cotswolds development off the M5 which could create 1,000 jobs.
The diggers have finally moved in to install infrastructure needed for the outlet centre which will be opened in phases starting in the autumn of 2022.
The lifestyle retail destination will aim to recreate an attractive Cotswoldstyle village environment containing up to 90 shops, restaurants and cafes and the largest Dobbies Garden Centre in the South West.
Situated next to Junction 9 on the M5 near Tewkesbury, the 180-acre mixeduse development will also include 850 homes complete with a school, local centre and recreation facilities.
Simon Tothill, property and development director of Robert Hitchins, the main contractor, said: “We’re proud to be delivering such an attractive development into the Tewkesbury area and to be creating more than 1,000 jobs in the local area. It’s important that such developments progress as efficiently as possible through the planning and construction stages to create employment opportunities, especially to enable the area to bounce back from the effects of the pandemic.
“These are ‘real jobs’ and we all need to work together to promote success.
“As a result, our mixed-use scheme will be a great addition to this part of the West Country.”
Dobbies is the only name released so far, but Mr Tothill added: “There are a number of high-profile retail brands now committing to the scheme or in advanced dialogue.”
Roberts Hitchins has appointed Montel Civil Engineering of Worcester to carry out the first phase of infrastructure works needed to open up the development.
According to a 44-second promotional video released last month this will see the creation of approximately 67 shops totalling 13,006 square metres.
Fronting onto the A46 trunk road that links the M5 to the M42, the site is within walking distance of the Ashchurch- forTewkesbury railway station, which is on the main line between Bristol and Birmingham, and billed as the most accessible retail outlet in the country. Gordon Jeynes, technical and residential development director of Robert Hitchins, said: “We are delighted that the infrastructure has now commenced. “When completed, this will include major improvements to the A46 fronting the development and improvements to Junction 9 of the M5.” Robert Hitchins is working closely with Vienna-based ROS Retail Outlet Shopping which manages 13 outlet centres in Germany, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Croatia and Hungary. Gloucester-based Roberts Limbrick is the architect.