By Owen Fishwick - Swindon Business News A planning application has been put in for the development ofover 50,000 sq ft of new retail at the centre. Swindon Designer Outlet is managed by McArthurGlen, Europe’sleading designer outlet group. It is owned by Henderson Global Investors, aspart of its UK Outlet Mall Fund, in which McArthurGlen is also an investor.This new £35 million development at Swindon Designer Outlet involves theregeneration of the historic Long Shop, built in 1874 as part of the GradeII-listed Great Western Railway Works, one of the world’s most significantearly railway works, and now home to Swindon Designer Outlet.
The investment will not only enhance the existing centre, providing anew hub of desirable retail stores, but will also bring the total number ofpeople employed at the centre from 750 to 1,100, adding an estimated further350 jobs.
Once converted, theLong Shop, located opposite STEAM – the Museum of the Great Western Railways,will house up to 30 new retail units. This will enable Swindon Designer Outletto increase its offer and at the same time to ensure the conservation of thebuildings of the Great Western Railway Works’ Railway Heritage Area.
The new developmentis part of a much larger master plan including a strategy to make shopping eveneasier for consumers by grouping like brands together in special zones, namelypremium/designer, high-street and lifestyle, as well as a food quarter andrestaurant units.. The new Long Shop area will include existing brandsrelocated from within the centre.
Tina Cumpstey,McArthur Glen centre manager, at Swindon Designer Outlet, said: “Theregeneration represents a significant investment to the centre and will breathenew life into the Long Shop as well as welcoming up to 30 new retail stores toour existing offering of leading premium, designer and high-street brands. Bybringing the centre into a new league of retail destination, this will attractmore shoppers not only to Swindon Designer Outlet but also to Swindon.”
Andrew Rich, fundmanager for the Henderson UK Outlet Mall Fund, added: “Investment in retailproperties is a major part of Henderson’stotal £12.5 billion of property assets under management. Swindonis a very successful centre within our outlet mall portfolio, and the expansionis part of our investment strategy to continue to deliver strong performancefor our investors.”
Stephen Harty,Director, Pod Architects said: “An important part of this development schemehas been to ensure the conservation of the Long Shop’s original structure,keeping intervention to a minimum.. With this in mind the new build will workwith the architectural heritage of the building, incorporating it within thedesign of the build while enhancing and maintaining the historic fabric of thecentre and the Long Shop.”
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