Dalton Park celebrated the ‘official’ start to our Phase 2 development, with a traditional ‘Groundbreaking’ ceremony with local dignitaries and project team members.
The scheme will provide a significant leisure extension to Dalton Park’s successful retail offer and includes a confirmed line-up of top operators. These include: Cineworld, Frankie & Benny’s, Pizza Express, Prezzo, KFC and Morrisons Superstore with petrol filling station. There are also plans for an hotel and family public house.
The build is estimated to take one year with an official opening date scheduled for May Day 2016. The project will create up to 500 new retail jobs and up to 400 construction jobs during the build phase.
Now that work is underway, the management team at Dalton Park wish to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the many supporters, both locally and region-wide, for their continued commitment and interest in the future of the outlet. This support has been invaluable and demonstrates unwavering community commitment to the project.
The start of Phase 2 adds momentum to an already positive half year for Dalton Park. Sales performance to date has been very strong with visitor numbers up on the same period last year. The outlet has also added new retailers to its brand portfolio including homeware brand Christy’s and clothing brand Bench. Flagship sports store New Balance also doubled its retail space on site to accommodate increased sales and to provide a larger range for customers.
Jerry Hatch, Centre Manager is delighted that work is now ‘officially’ underway. “Phase 2 will be a tremendous addition to the community and the region. Not only will it enhance our current retail offer and provide a fantastic range of leisure and service facilities for visitors. But it will also provide a significant number of new jobs thereby continuing our investment in local regeneration. We thank everyone who has supported the project and look forward to the launch in 2016.”
Grahame Morris, MP for Easington, reflects on the journey towards finally breaking ground.
“I am delighted that work is beginning on the long sought after Phase 2 of Dalton Park. The ground breaking represents nearly two decades of work by the local community, local representatives and developers to complete both the retail and leisure aspects of Dalton Park. Without the continued support of everyone involved, Murton and the surrounding area would not be benefitting from these local jobs and vital economic activity on the former coalfield site”.