Swindon Designer Outlet Secures Planning Permission

Today Swindon Designer Outlet announced the successful approval of planning permission for the regeneration of the centre’s historic Long Shop.

Built in 1874 as part of the Grade II-listed Great Western Railway Works, the Long Shop will now be incorporated as part of the extension of Swindon Designer Outlet.

The centre is managed and was originally developed by McArthurGlen, Europe’s leading designer outlet group.

The centre is home to the most sought-after names in fashion, beauty, sportswear and homeware, offering year-round savings of up to 60 per cent. Leading brands at the centre include: Hugo Boss, Jaeger, LK Bennett, Next, Superdry, Ted Baker, Kurt Geiger and John Lewis Home Outlet.

Approved plans for Swindon Designer Outlet allow for:

• A £35mn investment to enhance and expand the centre.
• Development of nearly 50,000 sq ft of new retail space.
• The creation of a new retail hub, including up to 30 additional stores.
• Increasing the total number of people employed at the centre from 750 to 1,100 – adding an estimated 350 jobs.
• The first phase of the development will include a redesigned food quarter, as well as introducing four new restaurants to the centre.

With conversion due to be completed in autumn 2014, the Long Shop is located opposite STEAM, the Museum of the Great Western Railway. This will enable Swindon Designer Outlet to increase its offer, while ensuring the conservation of the buildings of the Great Western Railway Works’ Heritage Area.

The new development is part of a much larger master plan for the centre, including a strategy to make shopping even easier for consumers by grouping like brands together in special zones, namely premium/designer, high-street and lifestyle, as well as the food quarter and restaurant units. The new Long Shop area will include existing brands relocated from within the centre.

Tina Cumpstey, Centre Manager at McArthurGlen’s Swindon Designer Outlet, says: “Now that the planning application for the regeneration of the Long Shop has been successfully received and approved, we can begin the process of significantly extending our retail space, in particular bringing in more of the most sought-after brand names and to provide a truly inspiring restaurant offering. This is an exciting phase not only for Swindon Designer Outlet, but also for Swindon."