Scottish Widows’ plans for the £30m phase 2 of the Forum Shopping Centre in Chester are back on track. A presentation by the developer had been called off at the last minute because of doubts about the scheme.
However an agreement has now been reached. The developer keeps the original retail element, but will spend between £2m and £3m on improving Delamere Street Bus Station and enlarging a new public square. The money had originally been earmarked for improving the library.
Further discussions on the legal and development agreements will begin shortly, and detailed design work will hammered out by Scottish Widows and the council, a joint statement said.
A detailed planning application was submitted to the council in May. The retail element is for a department store of 9,290sq m (100,000sq ft) and about 30 shops suitable for national multiples. Nick Legat, of Legat & Owen, joint letting agents with DTZ Debenham Thorpe, said the new shops would would be well received by national retailers because many existing old shops were too small.
EGi News 15/08/96
