Coming soon: A new £125m designer outlet in Lincolnshire

// New designer outlet to be built in the East Midlands town of Grantham, Lincolnshire

// Will cover 220,425sq ft and comprise of 107 shops

// Oldrids & Downtown will spend £125m to develop the scheme and create 1700 jobs

A new designer outlet centre in the East Midlands that aims to create more than 1700 new jobs has been given planning approval.

This week, developers at Oldrids & Downtown were given the green light by South Kesteven District Council to build the Downtown Grantham Designer Outlet located in the town of Grantham, Lincolnshire.

Oldrids & Downtown is slated to spend £125 million to develop scheme, which will see it demolish a number of existing buildings on Occupation Lane, Gonerby Moor to create the 220,425sq ft designer outlet comprising of 107 new shops.

The outlet centre will also have an indoor leisure unit, a new tourist information and visitor centre, and the site’s existing garden centre will be redeveloped.

The retail and leisure facilities will be complemented by a high-tech hub and incubator start-up offices, and the the construction of a new training academy in partnership with Grantham College.

Downtown Grantham Designer Outlet will be delivered in partnership with Freeport Retail, a developer and operator of designer outlet centres.

Oldrids & Downtown will also make local investments to help improve transport infrastructure, road signage and town centre facilities.

“We’re delighted that the planning committee has approved our application and recognised the extensive benefits this exciting new scheme will bring to Grantham and the wider area,” Oldrids & Downtown managing director Richard Broadhead said.

“Our huge investment will significantly enhance the retail offer and bring a host of new facilities and job opportunities to the region.

“This is a development that will attract visitors and tourists to the area, boosting the local economy.

“A massive amount of work has gone into this planning application and we are really grateful to everyone who has been involved in this process.

“There is huge support for our proposals from both the public and the business community.”

South Kesteven District Council’s approval of Downtown Grantham Designer Outlet came despite objections from local businesses that it could turn Grantham town centre into a ghost town.

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