Next to anchor Thorpe Park development in Leeds

Next is the first major retailer to commit to opening a flagship store at the upcoming Thorpe Park retail park in east Leeds, a shopping and leisure development that is entering phase two of the scheme.

The retail park will feature 300,000 square foot of retail, leisure, housing and office space as part of phase two of the development, which will also include 140 acres of parkland and sports facilities.

The development is a joint venture between Legal and General Capital and Scarborough Group International, and Next has signed up to open an 18,000 square foot store to anchor the retail element of the scheme and developers are hoping it will provide a big pull for other retailers.

Commenting on the opening, a Next spokesperson said: “Thorpe Park Leeds is a great location for Next with its dense population catchment and position on the strategic road network. We can see that it is already a vibrant environment that will be enhanced further with the extension of the business park, the new shops and restaurants, new homes and public space.

“We are pleased to be involved in such an important project for the city of Leeds, and look forward to delivering our new store in this prominent location.”

“The deal with Next is a major milestone for Thorpe Park Leeds which until now has remained a successful yet traditional business park,” added Mark Jackson, Consultant for Scarborough Group International. “Radical plans for phase two will change all of that, transforming Thorpe Park Leeds into a true mixed-use destination, delivering on-site amenities for an anticipated 13,500 working population at the park as well as the surrounding communities.”