British Land breaks ground at £23m Speke leisure project

British Land and Hercules Unit Trust have started construction on a £23m leisure extension at New Mersey Retail Park in Speke.

The 66,000 sq ft development will be anchored by an 11-screen Cineworld cinema taking up 37,000 sq ft. The extension will also deliver an additional 29,000 sq ft of restaurant space across six units. Pre-lets have been secured with TGI Fridays, Nando’s and Wagamama and discussions are progressing on the remaining three restaurants.

The development is located at the front of the site, replacing the former Currys unit.

The restaurant element will open in late spring 2018 with the cinema opening in summer 2018.

The scheme is part of British Land’s plan to double the amount of food and drink across its retail portfolio over the next five years.

James Varley, asset manager for British Land, said: “The New Mersey leisure extension will significantly improve the centre’s leisure and dining options, enhancing our customers’ experience and creating places people prefer. Across our retail portfolio, we are investing to create outstanding places that are in line with peoples’ changing lifestyles.”

British Land is represented by Wilkinson Williams and Cushman & Wakefield.