£53m St James' retail and leisure development for Dover town centre
Work on the 157,000 sq ft scheme is already well underway with construction works progressing well for the Cineworld, the restaurant block, and the main retail block on Townwall Street. Construction of a 108-bed Travelodge hotel is also going ahead. The £53.25 million development forms part of Dover District Council’s wider regeneration for the town, which is hoped to create jobs and drive economic and social growth. It is scheduled for completion by next March and is also hoped to be a magnet for people beyond Dover such as Deal, Sandwich and neighbouring Kent districts.
RG Group took possession of the site as the main contractor from Monday this week. Maidstone-based Gallagher Group has been on the site since last December and will continue as a sub-contractor.
The council says that once developed, the scheme will also provide Dover with a modern retail and leisure provision to support the town’s growing population.
The retail element is to be anchored by major brands including Marks & Spencer and Next, whille the leisure component includes a six-screen Cine-UK (Cineworld) Cinema, a 108-room Travelodge hotel and six restaurants. The development is currently 80% pre-let and recent lettings at the scheme include Shoe Zone, Card Factory, Carphone Warehouse and Greggs.
Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke commented:
“This is hugely welcome news. It’s been fantastic to see a new cinema and shops rising at the St James’ site. Getting Burlington House down last year was a massive victory. And there has been incredible progress in recent months. Today's announcement means we keep up the momentum in building a brighter future for Dover.”
The tower block Burlington House was seen as Dover’s ugliest building and was demolished in February 2016 to make way for this scheme.
Source: KentOnline
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