News

Simons leads Bristol race

News

Estates Gazette

16 August 1997

by Philip Smith

Simons Estates is tipped to win a £10m retail and leisure scheme in Bristol city centre.

The Lincolnshire-based developer is thought to have pipped Town Centre Securities to take the 1ha (2.5 acre) bus station site on Marlborough Road. The mixed-use scheme will be anchored by a multiplex cinema.

The preferred developer will have to keep the bus station on the site, which is owned by First Bus, and incorporate it underneath the new development.

Andrew Maltby of Hartnell Taylor Cook, which is jointly selling the site with Chesterton, confirmed that a shortlist of two developers had been drawn up but said no final decision had been made.

“The schemes are being run past our client to see whether they meet the requirements for a new bus station and then we will take the one that is most likely to secure planning,” said Maltby.

A spokesman for Simons would not confirm its final selection but said the company had been shortlisted.

Several retailers and leisure operators looked at the bus station site, including Marks & Spencer. But M&S is believed instead to have been one of 10 bidders last week on the development site on Bond Street and Newfoundland Road where up to 27,870m² (300,000 sq ft) of retail could be built. Chesterton is advising landowners Bristol City Council and NPI.

Elsewhere, Simons has just submitted a detailed planning application – jointly with Gulliver Development Property Unit Trust – for a 5,574m² (60,000 sq ft), £11m office building on its Island site in Nottingham city centre.

A prelet is being sought through Baring Houston & Saunders, Oliver Liggins and Innes England.

Simons also wants to develop another retail and leisure scheme, on the bus station site in Darlington.

Last week, the company announced a £12m leisure and residential scheme in Crawley on the Commission for the New Towns’ 1.8ha (4.5 acre) “Squareabout” site, which Simons bought for £4.5m. Bass Taverns will build a themed pub, a 74-bedroom Holiday Inn, and an American diner.

The remaining space will be developed by Fairclough Homes.

Jones Lang Wootton acted for CNT and Savills advised Simons Estates.

by Philip Smith Simons Estates is tipped to win a £10m retail and leisure scheme in Bristol city centre. The Lincolnshire-based developer is thought to have pipped Town Centre Securities to take the 1ha (2.5 acre) bus station site on Marlborough Road. The mixed-use scheme will be anchored by a multiplex cinema. The preferred developer will have to keep the bus station on the site, which is owned by First Bus, and incorporate it underneath the new development. Andrew Maltby of Hartnell Taylor Cook, which is jointly selling the site with Chesterton, confirmed that a shortlist of two developers had been drawn up but said no final decision had been made. “The schemes are being run past our client to see whether they meet the requirements for a new bus station and then we will take the one that is most likely to secure planning,” said Maltby. A spokesman for Simons would not confirm its final selection but said the company had been shortlisted. Several retailers and leisure operators looked at the bus station site, including Marks & Spencer. But M&S is believed instead to have been one of 10 bidders last week on the development site on Bond Street and Newfoundland Road where up to 27,870m2 (300,000 sq ft) of retail could be built. Chesterton is advising landowners Bristol City Council and NPI. Elsewhere, Simons has just submitted a detailed planning application – jointly with Gulliver Development Property Unit Trust – for a 5,574m2 (60,000 sq ft), £11m office building on its Island site in Nottingham city centre. A prelet is being sought through Baring Houston & Saunders, Oliver Liggins and Innes England. Simons also wants to develop another retail and leisure scheme, on the bus station site in Darlington. Last week, the company announced a £12m leisure and residential scheme in Crawley on the Commission for the New Towns’ 1.8ha (4.5 acre) “Squareabout” site, which Simons bought for £4.5m. Bass Taverns will build a themed pub, a 74-bedroom Holiday Inn, and an American diner. The remaining space will be developed by Fairclough Homes. Jones Lang Wootton acted for CNT and Savills advised Simons Estates.