British Land and Hercules Unit Trust have started construction of a £23m leisure extension at New Mersey, Speke. British Land is doubling the amount of food and drink across its retail portfolio over the next five years.
The 66,000-sq ft development will be anchored by an 11-screen, 37,000-sq ft Cineworld cinema featuring Superscreen technology. 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 (7,000 sq ft), Nando’s (4,700 sq ft) and Wagamama (3,500 sq ft) and discussions are progressing on the remaining three restaurants. The restaurant element will open in late spring 2018 with the cinema opening in summer 2018.
British Land asset manager James Varley 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.
