They have unveiled ambitious plans to build more shop units that could hand the area a much-needed jobs and economic boost.

Details of the expansion bid emerged as the firm that manages the outlet village revealed Marks & Spencer – one of its key tenants – had signed a new 10-year lease.

The retail giant’s store is being extended and refurbished to increase its trading space to 11,600 sq ft.

Centre chiefs have also revealed they hope to be able to soon announce some “exciting new retailers” setting up at Gretna. No further details are known.

Good news at the discount shopping village – whose tenants also include Ralph Lauren – comes despite the doom and gloom dogging the national retail scene.

Orchard Street Investment Management manages Gretna Gateway on behalf of owners the Railways Pension Fund.

Head of asset management Phillip Rodger said: “In the current market there is clearly a move towards value for shoppers. We have seen a huge increase in footfall and spending compared to last year during the course of this year.

“Given the economic situation, I think this makes the point that there is more of a market than ever for true discount quality brand offers.”

Plans now in the hands of Dumfries and Galloway Council planners – the third phase of the centre’s development – would see about six new units built.

If approved, they would increase the size of the existing 125,000sq ft village by 15,000sq ft. That work would take place in part of the car park on the southern side of the site.

Management say the “prominently-located” units would vary in size from 1,000sq ft to 5,000sq ft and add to the “already diverse retail environment”.

They say there is already a “good level of interest” from firms wanting to open at Gretna and fill the current handful of vacant shops.

Orchard Street chairman Chris Bartram said the expansion would improve the centre.

On Marks & Spencer deal, he added: “We are delighted a retailer of the calibre of Marks & Spencer has chosen to endorse the trading potential of Gretna Gateway by re-signing for the long term.

“We are attracting other high-profile fashion brands and investing heavily in rebranding the centre.”

Gretna Gateway, which opened in 1999, recently opened a new 250-space overspill car park taking its number of car parking spaces to 1,000.

By Chris Story

Source: www.newsandstar.co.uk, Wednesday, 29 April 2009