The award-winning Trentham Estate in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, has confirmed that the extension to its popular Shopping Village will open to the public, on Friday July 28.
All of the new units are now allocated, and are ‘under offer’ – and the first seven businesses that are moving in, are The Baggage Factory, selling branded luggage and small leather goods; Julian Charles, selling luxury, affordable home furnishings including bedding, curtains, bathroom goods; ProCook, a functional and stylish cookware and kitchenware shop; Gift Company a friendly, family-run company that prides itself on selling quality giftware and an extensive range of oak furniture at very reasonable prices; Grape Tree, a health food shop; Riedel The Wine Glass Company are opening their first UK store featuring crystal glassware designed to enhance the enjoyment of wines, beer and spirits; and Got 2 Have One supplying hobby clothing and gifts for enthusiasts and collectors.
A grand total of 18 new units will mark a welcome addition to the 63 existing shops, cafés and restaurants – and will represent over £7m of additional investment at one of the best-loved tourist destinations in the Midlands.
Construction of the new units, which still totals 21,600 square feet, began at the end of 2016. The original plan for 26 new units has been amended to satisfy the demand from some of the new operators, who wanted larger retail space, or dining areas.
The Trentham Estate has also been able to reveal that seven of the 18 units have been taken by local independent traders.
Local contractors, Intium Construction, have now handed over the site to The Trentham Estate, and the first of the shops will start to fit-out their premises ahead of the official launch date.
Some of the shops are expected to open ahead of the launch, while others will open their doors to the public shortly after the official opening of the extension of the Shopping Village. Once complete, the Village will comprise of 78 timber lodges in total.
The Trentham Estate is owned by the UK’s leading regeneration specialist St. Modwen Properties PLC. Its £100 million restoration and regeneration of the estate and gardens, which commenced in 2003, has resulted in the creation of one of the highest profile and widely acclaimed garden restoration projects in the UK – complemented by the successful Garden Centre, shops, cafes and restaurants, and the 119 bedroom Premier Inn hotel.
The whole 725-acre site attracts more than 3.25 million visits every year, and supports over 700 jobs, with scores more being created. “Construction is now complete and the lodges along the extended pedestrian area of the Shopping Village look fantastic. This has coincided with us receiving confirmation that all the newly built units have been fully allocated to tenants. We’d like to thank our existing tenants for strengthening their presence and investment in Trentham, and we’re delighted to welcome new enterprises to the Village. Throughout July shop fit-outs will be underway, and once complete, our homeware, gifting, fashion and accessories categories will all be strengthened. It’s both pleasing and in character with our existing traders, that 40% of the new lodges are being occupied by local, independent businesses. Visitors are already reacting positively to the new-look Village and we can’t wait to open our doors to them.” Mike Herbert, Director at Trentham commented.
The opening of the new units will also coincide with a handful of the existing shops either moving into new or larger premises. All of which will help to freshen the look of the entire Shopping Village, and generate many new jobs.
Recent changes to the layout of the existing shops have seen Kloqworx and Cornerstone amalgamate into one new unit in the existing section of the Shopping Village, in order to focus on jewellery.
The arrival of the extended Shopping Village will bring with it other, innovative guest facilities including four electric car charging points, eco LED lighting, and additional toilets that will feature a new “Changing Places” unit. This is equipped with a special changing bench and hoist designed for people with profound and multiple disabilities, so that they, their carers, assistants and families can enjoy a day out at Trentham. The attraction is already highly accessible for wheelchair users and this new facility is in response to the needs of disabled visitors who require specialist facilities.
People interested in the latest updates and job opportunities, should log in to Trentham’s website, visit www.trentham.co.uk.