ST. MODWEN BRINGS COSTA COFFEE TO BILLINGHAM TOWN CENTRE

Shoppers in Billingham are set to benefit from the arrival of a new Costa Coffee to the Town Centre, bringing greater choice and adding to the growing portfolio of national brands in the town.

The UK’s largest national coffeehouse has agreed to sign a 15 year lease with St. Modwen, which owns and manages Billingham Town Centre. St Modwen has instructed Billingham based Ashbrook Construction to commence with a refurbishment of the 2,000 sq ft unit, which is being managed by David Fairley of Stockton based Sanderson Weatherall. On completion Costa will undertake its own fit-out and it is hoped that the store will be open by the end of 2016.

In addition to the retail offer at Billingham Town Centre, which already includes national retailers Aldi, Asda, Select, M&Co and Wetherspoon’s, St. Modwen has also agreed a 10-year lease with Queensway Funeralcare, which is part of the Cooperative Group.

The range of national retailers are joined by a host of successful independent retailers and businesses, including popular local restaurant La Porto Italiano, Cats Eye Opticians and Queensway Dental Clinic. Northgate Estate Agents will also soon be opening in the Town Square.

Rob Richardson, Asset and Development Manager at St. Modwen, said: “The new Costa Coffee store will be a welcome addition to our diverse mix of national and independent retailers and it will give the local community another place to meet up and enjoy their Town Centre. We are committed to providing a vibrant retail and leisure offering at Billingham and it is testament to this commitment that brands such as Costa Coffee are committing to the Town Centre.”

Kerry Parkin, Head of Communications and CSR for Costa, said: “We are excited to be opening a brand new store in Billingham this autumn, which will bring in the region of 8-10 new jobs to the local area. We are looking forward to being a part of the local community, getting involved with events; providing the store as a meeting place and helping with fundraising.”

Councillor Nigel Cooke, Stockton-On-Tees Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, said: “It is fantastic to hear that a new branch of Costa is due to open in Billingham. The national chain will complement the range of independent retailers and cafes that are already on offer and will further attract people to shop, meet and dine in the town centre. We’re delighted that Billingham continues to thrive and household names are investing there – it’s a real vote of confidence that the redeveloped town centre is a great place to do business.”

Tom Glynn, Associate Director, Colliers International, said: “The news that Costa is to come to Billingham is a big coup for the town. We’ve seen an increase in footfall following the improvements that have been made to the town and as a result have welcomed new retailers to the tenant mix, including Select Fashion and more recently Aldi. We believe that these new retailers alongside Costa, will demonstrate to other national and local operators that Billingham, as a retail destination, is on the up.”

St. Modwen continues to invest in Billingham Town Centre and is committed to revitalising the Centre in order to make it a vibrant and convenient place to shop, relax and live. In addition, St. Modwen remains focused supporting existing businesses to grow as well as creating a modern business environment to attract new retailers to the Centre.