Scotch Corner Designer Village, situated at one of the UK’s most well-known locations on the A1(M) in North Yorkshire, is predicted to become the pre-eminent outlet destination for the North of England. The 250,000 sq ft scheme will feature up to 92 units in the first phase, 10 of which will be a range of casual dining restaurants and cafés. The developer, Scotch Corner Richmond LLP, is investing £90 million into the first phase of the scheme.

With a large predicted customer base of affluent regional shoppers, a sizeable catchment of local residents, passing motorists from the adjacent motorway and trunk roads, significant tourist numbers, and an easy-to-get-to location, Scotch Corner Designer Village is attracting premium and best of high street retailers, plus selected independent brands. Based on research by Ken Gunn Consulting, the development will be a top six UK outlet centre by expected visitor spend.

The 23 brands that have exchanged contracts so far include BOSS in a 3,175 sq ft store; Calvin Klein with 2,500 sq ft; Tommy Hilfiger with 3,900 sq ft; Adidas with 10,225 sq ft; Levi’s with 2,900 sq ft, Skechers with 2,900 sq ft; GAP with 6,500 sq ft; Joules with 2,500 sq ft; Mint Velvet with 1,900 sq ft; Dune London with 1,300 sq ft; Clarks with 5,100 sq ft, Brook Taverner with 1,400 sq ft; Regatta with 1,550 sq ft and The Fragrance Shop with 645 sq ft. Additionally, Wagamama and Five Guys have both signed up to open 4,200 and 2,800 sq ft restaurants respectively. The scheme will also be anchored by a contemporary and evolving multi-brand retail space which will be a specially tailored mix of independent, regional, aspirational and mid-range designer brands.

Some 50 per cent, by floor area, of the development is now let or in solicitors’ hands, with a further 15 per cent in detailed negotiations. 

Simon Waterfield, developer and co-owner of Scotch Corner Richmond LLP, said: “Our vision is to create a retail and leisure destination that will appeal to customers from near and far. We’re attracting great brands, an appetising line-up of restaurants and cafés, and we will have an exciting events programme to ensure customers have a really memorable visit. With no other major outlet centres within a 60-minute drive, and nearby towns generally providing a lower priced fashion offer, we feel confident that we will add to the appeal and prosperity of the region.”

Opening in 2021, major enabling and infrastructure works have started on site.

Ken Gunn, Managing Director at Ken Gunn Consulting, said: “Located at junction 53 of the main A1(M) North/South motorway and the A66, Scotch Corner Designer Village will be one of the most accessible retail and leisure destinations in the UK. With expected annual footfall of over 4.3 million and some 28.9 million vehicles passing the site each year, the development will be a destination for a family day-out and will create an opportunity for an enjoyable break in a road journey. The scheme has a wide catchment of some 3.8 million residents within a 60-minute drive-time with almost 60 per cent of customers classified in the top 3 most affluent ACORN categories.”

The site is at the gateway to surrounding areas such as The Yorkshire Dales and The North York Moors National Parks and with ease of access to The Lakes and Scotland. Some 96 million tourists visit the area annually. Indeed, Visit Britain research also shows the number of international visitors to Yorkshire, which is the second largest tourist destination in the UK, has more than doubled since 2012, increasing high-spending, luxury tourism to the region. Passing traffic, day-trippers and tourist visitors are expected to account for around 40 per cent of annual revenue at Scotch Corner Designer Village.

The design of the scheme will have an uncovered village feel rather than that of a retail park or enclosed shopping centre.  High quality local materials and architectural details combined with a village street-feel will promote a strong sense of place and identity for the development. Scotch Corner Designer Village will reflect the local architecture and design through an intimate series of open streets interspersed with courtyards and terraces, complementing the beauty and architectural tradition of the area.

Located on a wider 100-acre site, also owned by Scotch Corner Richmond LLP, the developer has ambitions to introduce a further retail phase, plus extensive indoor and outdoor leisure and sporting facilities, a Home and Garden centre, a hotel, business lounge and dog-walking facilities and routes.

With ambitions for a ‘Very Good’ BREEAM rating, sustainability and care for the environment are key elements of the design and operation of the scheme. Over 10 per cent of the car parking space will include electric vehicle charging points in phase 1 alongside the provision of new local bus services to create sustainable transport facilities. Approximately 300 new trees will be planted in phase 1, with over 1,000 more new trees planted in future phases. The scheme will create around 330 jobs during construction and over 1,000 once it is fully operational.

The leasing agents for Scotch Corner Designer Village are SPACE – Retail Property Consultants; the Asset Manager is SLR Outlets Limited; and the Architects are Corstorphine + Wright.