Teesland Group - Retail Development - Doncaster, Frenchgate Interchange

Date: 30 Jul 2001

Teesland Group, the earnings-based property company, has signed Debenhams, Britains Favourite Department Store, as its anchor store for Frenchgate Interchange, the major new town centre retail and transport interchange scheme in Doncaster.

Debenhams will trade 6,968 sq m (75,000 sq ft - 105,000 sq ft gross) - on two levels in the scheme, which forms part of the 300,000 sq ft extension to the existing Frenchgate Centre, where tenants include Woolworths, WH Smith, Bhs, Argos, Boots and Superdrug.

Work on the scheme, which will total 74,000 sq m (800,000 sq ft) on completion, is set to commence in February 2002. It is expected that the scheme will be completed in Autumn 2004 and the existing centre will be upgraded as part of the overall works.

Didier Tandy, Director, Teesland Group stated: "The signing of Debenhams is the catalyst for Doncaster Interchange and a real tribute to the quality of the scheme. With such a high quality anchor tenant in place, we will not only be able to realise our ambition to create one of the UK's top 20 shopping centres, but also revolutionise the transport facilities of the town in creating the country's first fully integrated transport interchanges."

Belinda Earl, Chief Executive, Debenhams plc commented: "Frenchgate Interchange is an exciting development for Doncaster. It will be one of the UK's first retail developments to feature a fully integrated transport system. We are delighted to be the anchor tenant in a scheme that will provide customers with a convenient and efficient shopping experience. Our store will feature our full range of products, brands and customer services. We look forward to welcoming existing and new customers to our store, when it opens."

The scheme, which is to include a new integrated bus and train link is to be developed by a Teesland and McAlpine Consortium, in conjunction with Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council and the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive in order to provide a comprehensive transport and retail development for Doncaster Town Centre.

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