The opening of Solihull’s biggest retail development since Touchwood is being tipped to spark a wave of regeneration and development in Shirley.
Parkgate, which has taken a decade to bring to fruition, and is one of only four major new mixed-use retail and leisure schemes currently under construction in the UK, officially opened this week.
At the heart of the £85 million development in Stratford Road – a joint venture between Helical Retail and Coltham Developments – is an 80,000 sq ft Asda store.
It will be joined by 26 new shops, cafes and restaurants, some of which have already opened.
Occupiers which have signed up so far include JD Wetherspoon, Pizza Express, Prezzo, Perios, Starbucks, Shake Waffle and Roll, Loungers, Peacocks, 99p Stores, Mobile PC, Phones 4U, Capricorn Blinds, Greggs and the Gym.
The development also features the relocated Shirley Library and a 500-space basement car park.
Local community groups have also benefited from the scheme in a variety of ways, including the Royal British Legion, the First Shirley Scout Group and Camp Hill Rugby Club, which have all seen facilities replaced or upgraded.
Shirley Baptist Church also made a £2 million investment in its premises and has also opened its own coffee shop, Kairos Coffee, as part of the development.
Parkgate was masterplanned by Davis Weatherill Partnership Architects, with the main build carried out by BAM Construction.
The residential element features a 72 units including 41 three and four-bedroom townhouses and 31 one and two-bedroom apartments. Shirley Advance is developing two blocks, with Bloor Homes developing a further three.
Solihull Care Housing Association is also building an Extra Care housing scheme for the elderly.
Parkgate’s opening marks the end of a 10-year process involving Shirley Advance, though the origins of the scheme date back as far as 1993 when Asda acquired Powergen’s former headquarters opposite the site that has now been developed.
A bitter battle over developing that site ensued, with the current site instead becoming the preferred option as part of a mixed-use development.
The redundant Powergen building still stands across the road from Parkgate, and Robert Birch from Shirley Advance said he believed Parkgate’s opening could serve as a stimulus to develop that site and offer a boost to the wider area.
Mr Birch said: “There is no doubt it will act as a catalyst for further development and regeneration in the area. Discussions are ongoing for the Powergen site as well.
“Asda have got their store open and will be keen to dispose of their assets on the other side of the road.”
Mr Birch admitted it had been a long process – Shirley Advance signed its agreement in May 2004 – but said it had been worth the wait.
“It is a major milestone and has been a long time coming but its opening is a great day,” he said. “It has not been particularly straightforward. There was a huge consultation, planning processes, compulsory purchases and the recession.
“We had to get new planning consent, it was eventually confirmed in the summer of 2011 and we started building early in 2012.
“We are all really proud of what we have achieved here. We stuck with it but there are many others that wouldn’t have done.”
Mr Birch said occupancy of the additional retail element outside Asda had reached 70 per cent, with more retailers set to be announced in the near future.
“It is not the end yet, there is going to be more good news over the next few weeks and months,” he said.
“Seventy per cent of additional floor space over and above the Asda is already let or being fitted out or in lawyers’ hands, which in this current climate we are absolutely delighted about.
“It is a good scheme in a good location.”
