MORRISONS TO ANCHOR CONNAHÌâå_S QUAY REDEVELOPMENT

Morrisons has signed an agreement for a new foodstore which will anchor St Modwen¹s planned Deeside District Centre redevelopment scheme at Connah¹s Quay, Flintshire.

£13 million will be invested in the project which aims to improve the current neighbourhood centre through the provision of new retail outlets and public realm improvements.

Morrisons has committed to take a 35-year lease on a 52,000 sq ft foodstore which will feature its unique fresh Market Street counters offering high quality fresh food prepared by hand in store. The scheme will also comprise a further 20,000 sq ft of complementary retail units, a 350-space customer car park and enhanced public realm. In addition, a new junction will be constructed to serve the development from Fford Llanarth.

Already granted outline planning consent by Flintshire Council, St Modwen has recently submitted a detailed planning application and is proposing to start on site later this summer. The Morrisons store and retail units will open for trade next Spring.

Mark Harrison, Morrisons’ Stores Director North, said: “We are looking forward to opening in Connah¹s Quay. Over the coming months we will work hard to bring customers the unique Market Street fresh food offer and specialist counter service that Morrisons is renowned for.

“With the inclusion of a butcher, baker and fishmonger, along with cake shop, delicatesse, Fresh to Go and Oven Fresh counters, we aim to offer more fresh choice to Connah¹s Quay shoppers and for our customers’ every need.

“We have been impressed with the speed at which St Modwen concluded the deal with ourselves and we share its enthusiasm for the scheme.”

Paul Batho of St Modwen, said: “This was quite a challenging scheme to undertake. The existing offer was really poor and convincing retailers of the benefits of the location was not straight forward. We also needed to acquire additional land from the council to make the scheme large enough to meet Morrisons¹ requirements and provide for supporting complementary shopping.

“We have enjoyed an excellent working relationship with both local councillors and officers at the council and we believe that the scheme when complete will be an excellent example of St Modwen¹s ability to work closely with local authorities to deliver the regeneration of tired shopping centres.”

Lisa Fearn on behalf of Connah’s Quay Town Council said: “We are delighted that Morrisons have now signed and will be the supermarket trading out of this shopping precinct, as it offers not only the residents of Connah’s Quay but the whole of Flintshire more choice of good quality products at vale-for-money prices.”

Coun. Peter MacFarlane and Coun. Erica Owen local ward members are pleased that such a major superstore will be coming to Connah’s Quay. “It is exciting news as this will regenerate this shopping area offering the residents facilities and services, as well as employment opportunities”.

Cheetham & Mortimer is acting for St Modwen to let the remaining 20,000 sq ft of retail space.

For further information contact Paul Batho of St Modwen (01925 825950).

Issued by Paul Raymer of Howle Chapman Raymer (0121 313 1000).

Ref:  MOD/79/08