Shops and offices could be built in next phase of marina growth
A graphic showing how Mercia Marina would look after the Lighthouse and The Boardwalk developments have been built, and right, views of the marina as it is at the moment.
By robin johnson rjohnson@derbytelegraph.co.uk
SHOPS and offices could be built at a marina in a £1.7 million development that would create about 50 jobs. Madecorn Leisure, which owns Mercia Marina at Willington, has unveiled its latest plans for the complex in Findern Lane. The Broadwalk development, over two floors, would feature seven shop units on the ground floor and seven offices on the first floor. The shops would overlook the 585-berth marina and a further 100 car parking spaces would be created. A planning application has been submitted to South Derbyshire District Council. The Boardwalk would complement a restaurant and leisure complex, for which Madecorn already has planning permission. Last year, Madecorn received the go-ahead for the £2.5 million Lighthouse development, which will include a pub and restaurant, fitness suite, beauty salon, spa, gym, swimming pool and 10 guest bedrooms overlooking the marina. It has been called the Lighthouse because the main building features a glass and timber tower, resembling a lighthouse lamp room. The shops and offices part of The Boardwalk development will share some of the architectural features of the Lighthouse project. Madecorn is currently in negotiations with prospective tenants for the Lighthouse, with building work expected to start late this year in time for a summer 2012 opening. If it gets the go-ahead, the shops and offices will be built in late 2012. Once completed the Lighthouse will create 50 jobs. Combined with the shops and offices project, Mercia Marina will create in the region of 100 new posts. John Thornton, senior partner at Madecorn, said: "We have two strategies. "One is to provide the very best in facilities for the boating community at Mercia Marina. "The second is to give people more reasons to visit. "We hope to do that by providing more facilities and the new shops represent the next phase of development." Mr Thornton said the type of retail businesses he hoped to attract to the marina included farm shops, arts and crafts, outdoor clothing businesses and possibly a gallery. For the offices, he said firms involved in technology and design would be ideally suited. He said: "We've already had a number of businesses express an interest. "We already have some great businesses here, including the likes of Midland Chandlers, and we want to attract more high-quality tenants." The £7 million marina, on the Trent and Mersey Canal, opened in 2008. As well as berths for narrowboats and cruisers, it has a tearoom, fuelling quay and boat hire and sales. It is also building 18 timber holiday lodges. The shops and offices proposals would bring Madecorn's total investment in the site to an excess of £10 million. Mr Thornton said: "We're hopeful that the application will be successful. "We are investing millions in the area, boosting tourism, creating jobs and supporting the local economy."
No comments:
Post a Comment