Three anchor retailers have now agreed terms to become part of Mercia Marina’s forthcoming multi-million pound waterside shopping and leisure development in South Derbyshire.
The marina, in Findern Lane, near Willington, is offering up to 11 retail units on an exclusive development that will also include an iconic tower housing the planned Lighthouse pub and restaurant.
Seven of the shops will form The Boardwalk, which will front the 24-acre marina lake, while four further units will adjoin the neighbouring Lighthouse pub building and open onto The Piazza. The entire £3.5m development will surround a small pedestrian piazza, which will be used for outdoor events and entertainment.
The grand opening is scheduled for November 2013. The first three retail units were taken before advertising commenced, and the marina is currently seeking expressions of interest from other interesting retailers or businesses.
Robert Neff, general manager of Mercia Marina, said: “We’ve already had good interest for the retail units since the plans were approved a few months ago, particularly from local niche retailers of high quality goods and services.
“We’d be very keen to hear from any other interested parties. While we’re especially committed to supporting local enterprises, we’d also like to talk to retailers from further afield who feel they would fit in with our beautiful surroundings and help bring much-needed investment and jobs to South Derbyshire.”
Businesses who have already agreed terms with the marina include handbag and leather gift store Start & Tremayne, clothing store Bluewater and farm shop The Butcher, The Baker, The Ice Cream Maker.
Steve Robinson, who already has Bluewater clothing stores in Derby, Belper, Burton-upon-Trent and Barton Marina, said: “We strongly believe that given the excellent location of the marina close to the A50/A38 junction, as well as the natural surroundings and stunning buildings, Mercia Marina is set to be an exciting retail destination.”
Steven McKendrick, of The Butcher, The Baker, The Ice Cream Maker, said: “We’re looking forward to meeting many new customers in our farm shop at Mercia Marina as well as introducing our new cafe concept.”
The marina is “very close” to signing up a pub and restaurant tenant for The Lighthouse, which will occupy the bottom two floors of the four-storey landmark building.
Neff said: “Our 74-acre site is a fantastic setting for a gastropub. We’ve spoken to a number of potential tenants over the past few months and we now believe we are very close to agreeing final terms with one operator.
“It was important to ensure that the pub and restaurant fully reflected the uncompromising high-quality of the development, and Mercia Marina as a whole. We hope to make an announcement regarding The Lighthouse in the very near future.”
Mercia Marina, which borders to Trent & Mersey Canal and river network is the largest inland waterways marina in the UK, with more than 600 berths. It already hosts a number of carefully selected businesses on site, including Midland Chandlers’ chandlery superstore, boat hire firms, dry docks and tea rooms.
The marina, which opened in September 2008, also offers luxury holiday lodges for sale or rent. Currently, six lodges have been built overlooking the marina, with plans for a further 12.
The striking Lighthouse and Boardwalk developments have been designed by Pinelog, of Bakewell, and bi Design Architects, of Repton. Designed to reflect a nautical theme, they will be constructed with a high-quality finish using timber, glass and stone.
Neff said: “Every detail has been carefully thought through to create genuine quality in every respect. This will not be ‘just another’ new development – it will be unique.
“While our primary aim is to provide the very best on-site facilities for our boaters, we truly believe this development will provide a fabulous new destination for visitors and will therefore help to boost the local economy significantly.”
