Published: Tuesday 02nd October 2018 | 11.34am
A ground-breaking ceremony at the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Cannock site was held last week to mark the start of construction for the new £160m shopping and leisure destination.
McArthurGlen, the leading owner, developer and manager of designer outlets in Europe’s, began the site preparation and earth works in July this year, with the selected contractor, Bowmer & Kirkland.
Phase one of the development, which will include 80 stores, restaurants and a children’s playground will open in 2020 and will see the creation of over 1,000 retail jobs.
Over 40 guests joined McArthurGlen and Cannock Chase Council for the ceremony, including McArthurGlen’s partners Aviva Investors, The Richardson Family and U+I, as well as MP Amanda Milling, Staffordshire County Council, Walsall College Retail Skills Academy and contractor Bowmer & Kirkland.
Councillor George Adamson, Leader of Cannock Chase Council, added: “This development has been a Council priority for many years, so I am delighted to see it reach the significant stage of the start of construction. It has taken a lot of hard work and effort to get us to this point. We will continue to work closely with McArthurGlen during construction and look forward to the opening in 2020 of a unique shopping destination for all to enjoy.”
Gary Bond, Managing Director of Development at McArthurGlen, said: “This development would not have been possible without the clear leadership and vision of Cannock Chase Council who believed in this project from the very start, and supported the development at every level. Over the next two years, this 30-acre site will be transformed into a landmark retail destination, introducing 80 sought-after brands to the West Midlands and creating retail jobs for the local community.”
Councillor Gordon Alcott, Portfolio Leader for Economic Development and Planning said “Today is an important milestone in the biggest single investment the District has ever seen. I am looking forward to the jobs and economic benefits this development will bring.”
Following speeches and photographs on site, the ceremony concluded at Langan’s Tea rooms in Cannock.
Any questions during the construction phase of the project can be put to McArthurGlen’s community affairs team on Freephone 08000 355 872.
Photo Caption (L TO R): Amanda Milling MP, Martyn Richardson (The Richardson Family), Stuart Whittle, Legal Counsel for U&I, Simon Green, Director at Aviva, Gary Bond, MD of Development at McArthurGlen and Cllr George Adamson, Leader of Cannock Chase Council