News
Work begins on MetrOasis development at Metrocentre as tenants are revealed
16 January 2012
Construction has begun this week on MetrOasis - the 15,000 sq ft catering development at Capital Shopping Centre's (CSC) Metrocentre in Gateshead.
The start of works comes alongside the announcement of the tenants for the scheme which will see the creation of new catering space and the introduction of new concepts to the area in a terrace development that will sit between Metrocentre and the adjacent Metro Retail Park.
Mitchells & Butlers will take two units on the terrace opening a 5,100 sqft Harvester restaurant and a 4,050 sq ft Toby Carvery. The Harvester opening is the first time the company has opened a new build Harvester in the North East.
Starbucks has also signed for the scheme and will open a standalone drive-thru unit comprising 1,800 sqft of space.
A remaining 4,000 sq ft drive-thru terrace unit is in advanced negotiations with a national major food brand.
The scheme was granted planning in the summer and will create 230 new jobs. The development will also support 50 construction jobs in the region. Work is expected to complete in the autumn.
Martin Breeden, asset management director for CSC, said: "We are delighted to announce today the first tenants for our MetrOasis catering development and to begin work onsite. We are bringing some proven brands and innovative architecture to what will be a very distinctive location at a key entry point into the Metrocentre complex. MetrOasis will link together the Metro Retail Park with Metrocentre itself and in particular the highly successful recent Metrocentre Qube development."
Tony Palmer, development manager for Mitchells & Butlers says: "We are very excited to be opening two restaurants at the high profile MetrOasis development. The new Toby Carvery will further cement the strong presence of the brand in the north east, whilst the Harvester opening at MetrOasis will mark our first new build for the brand in the area. Metrocentre is a great centre which we are pleased to be a part of and builds on a growing portfolio relationship with Capital Shopping Centres."
James Goodliffe, head of real estate for Starbucks UK and Ireland, says: "We're delighted to be opening a Starbucks Drive Thru at such a prominent retail location in Gateshead. As well as bringing new employment opportunities to the area, MetrOasis is the perfect location for a Starbucks Drive Thru, serving customers who we know want a premium coffee on the go or a superior environment to relax during their journey."
The development comes just a few months after the Metrocentre celebrated its 25th anniversary. Last year saw a number of new openings for the centre including the first stores in the north east for Boux Avenue and The Entertainer and the launch of a new 58,700 sq ft Primark anchor, which opened in October.
The Metrocentre Partnership was represented by Jones Lang LaSalle. Mitchells & Butlers represented itself while Eric Young and Co represented Starbucks.
