Plans advance for King’s Lynn redevelopment

Last week, pre-lets were secured with New Look to take 13,000 sq ft (1,210 sq m) and Superdrug to take 7,000 sq ft (650 sq m) at the Vancouver Centre, designed to maintain the West Norfolk market town’s position in the retail hierarchy.

The lettings follow five major pre-lets agreed last month. Woolworths and TJ Hughes are to take 40,000 sq ft (3,715 sq m) units. TK Maxx has signed a deal for 25,000 sq ft (2,325 sq m) of retail space. JJB Sports has signed up for 13,000 sq ft (1,210 sq m) and Peacocks 10,000 sq ft (930 sq m).

East Anglian firm Bidwells and Colliers CRE are joint letting agent on the Vancouver Centre. Bidwells retail agent Barry Woodhouse said: ‘The next phase of marketing, which will include the unit shops, will be under way shortly.’

Work on the Vancouver Centre could start by the end of the year, with the redeveloped centre trading by Easter 2005.

Competition is also hotting up in King’s Lynn’s DIY market with the start on site of St Nicholas Retail Park.

Wickes has taken a unit at the£10 million retail and residential scheme, due for completion early next year. Homebase and Do It All already trade from stores on the southern outskirts of the West Norfolk market town.

B&Q recently ended a five-year search for a King Lynn store after agreeing a deal, subject to planning permission, to take a 55,000 sq ft (5,100 sq m) store with garden centre and builders yard in an extension to the town’s Pierpoint retail park.

Other tenants at the 58,494 sq ft (5,434 sq m) St Nicholas Retail Park in North Lynn include Choices, Netto and Farmfoods. The scheme is being developed by East Anglian property company Turnstone.