Work starting this month on £160m Mill Green designer outlet at Cannock

It follows the completion of the deal to buy the 29 acre site, adjacent to the Mill Green Nature Reserve, by a joint venture between McArthurGlen, Aviva Investors, the Richardson family and U+I.

Now McArthurGlen – Europe's leading owner, developer and manager of designer outlets such as Cheshire Oaks - has confirmed that construction work on the site will start this month.

The initial work will involve site preparation and earth works.

Cannock Chase Council granted planning approval for the designer outlet in September 2016, following consultation with the local community.

In December last year, McArthurGlen announced the joint venture with Aviva Investors, Black Country property developers the Richardson family and U+I to develop the designer outlet, which will span 285,000 sq ft of shopping space across two phases.

Gary Bond, joint managing director of development at McArthurGlen, said: “We are thrilled to start construction on this milestone development for Cannock. The new centre will generate significant employment for the local area and create a new retail destination for the region, serving 11 million local residents. Cannock Designer Outlet will be built to the highest standards of architectural design and sustainability, reflecting and respecting the surrounding natural landscape.”

Councillor George Adamson, leader of Cannock Chase Council, added: “The reality of creating one of the most significant things to happen in the district in recent memory is definitely here now, with this exciting news. As construction commences we will be working closely with McArthurGlen to ensure that disruption is kept to the minimum for our residents, as we progress to a development we can all be very proud about.”

The £160 million investment is intended to create a landmark retail destination and community hub for Cannock and the wider West Midlands, generating 1,000 jobs for the local area. Due to complete in 2020, Phase I will be home to 80 premium and luxury brands offering year-round savings of up to 60 per cent, a selection of restaurants and cafés, a children’s play area, bike parking for cyclists and 1,400 car parking spaces.

Cannock Designer Outlet will also provide an additional £1.5 million investment in various projects to benefit the local community. This investment programme will include the maintenance and improvements to the Mill Green Nature Park, improvements to Cannock Town Centre and the railway station, and support for developing skills and employment prospects for local people.

Derbyshire based construction company, Bowmer & Kirkland, has been appointed to deliver the scheme. Any questions during the construction phase can be put to McArthurGlen’s community affairs team on Freephone 0800 975 5299, or by visiting designeroutletcannock.com.