North Durham Retail Park complete after welcoming Aldi and Starbucks

North Durham Retail Park at Pity Me, Durham, has attracted some major names since starting up - and its owners, Premcor Estates, have now promised more developments in the future.

Situated adjacent to Durham’s largest out-of-town retail destination, the Arnison Centre, the new 45,000 sq ft modern retailing park is now complete.

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The five-acre site, off Old Pit Lane, Pity Me and formerly known as Elddis Business Park, was acquired by Premcor director, Simon Hawkins, from Elddis Transport when it became surplus to requirements - at the time it was being used as an ancillary depot with five multi-let buildings, all of which were demolished to make way for the development.

Premcor submitted plans to Durham County Council in 2019 for the redevelopment of the site supported by planning and development consultancy, Lichfields, and master planners, The Harris Partnership. Once given the green light, construction commenced in July 2021 with GMI Construction.

Starbucks on the retail park site (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Director of the company, Simon Hawkins, said: “This was the first site we acquired operating as Premcor Estates, so it was a special one for us and we are delighted with the result and the calibre of retailers we have secured as tenants.

“We have a strong track record of successfully matching market demand with investor requirements, which is exactly what we have achieved at North Durham Retail Park where we have been able to not only provide greater consumer choice and create new jobs for local people, but with the sale proceeds, Elddis was also able to reinvest in the growth and success of its firm in the region, which is good news for its hundreds of employees.

“As we enter 2023 and have come full circle with this project, we are looking at other opportunities in commercial, industrial, retail, leisure and hotels on sites throughout the UK.”