Debenhams pre-let drives Kidderminster retail

Debenhams will occupy the impressive 'Slingfield Mill' premises which are to be carefully restored and refurbished. Plans have been drawn up to transform the five-storey Grade II listed former mill into a department store and hotel, to compliment the existing retail park and regenerate the historic building. Debenhams has signed a new 15-year lease.

Weavers Wharf Retail Park is already home to Marks & Spencer, Next, TK Max, JJB Sports and Soccer World, amongst others. It also provides substantial car parking for the town and includes restaurant operators Frankie & Benny's, Pizza Hut and McDonalds.

Katherine Pye of Henderson comments: "We approached Debenhams, as they will provide the much needed department store for the scheme and boost Kidderminster's retail offering. Working closely with the Wyre Forest District Council, this careful development and restoration project should not only add to the already successful retail park, but further aid the town centre regeneration."

Rob Hadfield of Debenhams, adds "The Slingfield Mill site presents an exciting opportunity for us and we are pleased to be involved at such an early stage in the development plans. With a huge undersupplied catchment area, Kidderminster is set to become a significant regional retail destination".

According to market research provider Experian, the scheme's catchment area stretches along the A449 as far as Worcester to the south and Bridgenorth in the North and Birmingham to the East. Its core catchment area, from which 50% of its customers come, comprises a staggering 80,000 plus people each living within eight minutes distance of the park.