Work is underway on a landmark Grimsby site as the town’s first drive-thru Starbucks paves the way for further investment and job creation.
Five years on from the shutters coming down on the former Ramsdens Superstore, construction of the 1,800 sq ft unit for the world’s most popular coffee house has begun.
And developer Wykeland Group, driving the multi-million pound retail and leisure opportunity forward with landowner Ramsden Group, has told how having the globally recognised tenant in place has spurred interest in the remainder of the site.
Starbucks is the first operator to sign up to the regeneration scheme, with 25 jobs and an October opening anticipated.
Wykeland’s development director Jonathan Stubbs said: “We’ve been a committed investor in Grimsby for many years and proud to have now taken the development of this key site in the town into the build phase.
“The construction of this Starbucks facility signals the beginning of a new chapter for the former Ramsdens Superstore site.
“Since announcing Starbucks’ commitment to the scheme we have seen a strong upturn in enquiries from retail operators and we are actively pursuing these opportunities.”
The coffee house was first revealed last June by the Hull-based team behind Grimsby’s Europarc, Hull’s Fruit Market and a cluster of other major developments.
The development will encompass the site of the former superstore, some neighbouring properties and open land, and is ultimately expected to create 200 jobs. Remaining businesses are unaffected.
Nick Ramsden, managing director of site owner Ramsden Group, said: “It is very exciting to see this major regeneration project get underway with the start of construction of the new Starbucks.
“This marks the rebirth of this important site, which will bring in significant investment and create much-needed jobs in Grimsby at a time when the economy has been disrupted by the Covid pandemic.”
North East Lincolnshire Council has granted full planning permission for 89,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space on the site of just over four acres. The development will also include parking for more than 200 cars and cycle spaces.
David Maughan, contracts director at Hessle-based PDR Construction, said: “We are delighted to have started construction work on the Starbucks drive-thru and café, which represents the beginning of the wider regeneration of this landmark location in Grimsby.
“This development will completely transform the local area at a time when it is needed more than ever and we are proud to be playing our part.”
WSB Property Consultants is the letting agent tasked with marketing the remainder of the development, with units of 1,500 sq ft upwards being promoted.
