Record crowds turned out to the opening of flagship store Aldi – at the £12 million Gateway scheme at Eastpoint in Nottingham.
Hundreds of local people were there as doors opened at Aldi and the Eastpoint scheme in Daleside Road officially launched.
Eastpoint has been delivered by Cedar House Investments – on time and ready for Christmas. In all, the scheme has created 200 jobs through the construction and then into the opening of the stores and it is now fully let, says Peter Gadsby, Cedar House chairman.
Mr Gadsby was at the scheme launch, along with local ward representative Councillor David Mellen.
“This is one of the few major retail developments being delivered in the East Midlands and underpins the regeneration of the wider Waterside area in Nottingham. It provides vital retail facilities for the people of Sneinton and for the emerging housing development in the Trent Basin,” said Mr Gadsby.
“This is a significant landmark scheme in that Eastpoint will further facilitate investment in Waterside as this area of the city continues to thrive. We know that our retail development, which is anchored by an Aldi food store, has been needed for the people of Sneinton.”
Anchored by Aldi and Smyths Toys, the scheme will provide a great facility for local people, underpinned by a Costa Coffee outlet, he added. Poundland and Just for Pets have also signed up to take space at the retail park.
The former Sunlight laundry site has now been transformed into a vibrant, much-needed shopping facility. It has already secured 120 jobs with further jobs to follow as the stores roll out.
“There has been a vision for Waterside for more than 20 years, embodied in the masterplan for Nottingham and promoted by Nottingham Regeneration Limited. It is great news to see this development finally underway and the masterplan is now becoming reality with Eastpoint providing the catalyst for the wider regeneration of the Waterside area,” said Mr Gadsby.
“We have worked closely with Nottingham Employment Hub to provide not only permanent opportunities but also essential training and work experience for local young people during the construction.
“The commitment and dedication of the Nottingham Employment Hub was exemplary. The success of this development was based on our confidence and commitment in the city to build the scheme speculatively at the beginning of the year. Funded in-house and built on time by our sister company Radleigh Construction.”
Coun Mellen said: “For some time, the people of Sneinton have had a need for somewhere to shop for reasonably-priced food.
“There haven’t been enough opportunities for everyone to shop for food locally at a price which matches the tight budgets within which many families have to manage. I welcome this initiative to provide better shopping opportunities for the residents of Sneinton.”
Work on the £90 million waterside scheme, located on the north bank of the River Trent opposite the Lady Bay nature reserve, has started. Delivered by Blueprint, this is the first phase of 45 low-energy family homes ready next spring.
Nick Ebbs of Blueprint said: “Having a brand new Aldi store, coffee shop and other facilities so close to Trent Basin will considerably enhance the appeal of our new homes. With completions from May next year the opening of the new stores is perfectly timed.”
JLL & FHP are joint agents.
