Gateshead construction company Tolent has secured a £2.1m deal to build a new Aldi supermarket in Newcastle.
The firm is carrying out the contract for the new retail store at Kingston Park for The Hanro Group. Tolent is designing and building the new 14,000sqft store at the retail park, where the structural steel frame is now taking shape.
The company is also constructing a new delivery yard as well as an extension and reconfiguration of existing parking bays. The project, which also aims to improve pedestrian crossing routes, has involved the demolition of buildings which housed businesses, including Peacock and Poundstretcher stores and Luciano’s Italian Restaurant, some of which had been vacant for some time after being impacted by the economic downturn caused by the pandemic.
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Steve Church, regional manager of Tolent, said: “We are very happy to be once again working on a project that shapes Newcastle and facilitates the people of the region. This project is being designed in a way that makes the new store well connected and accessible to different modes of transport. It is our fifth Aldi project, however, this is the first time we are working with The Hanro Group and we are excited to be entering into a new association with them.”
Laura Lloyd, head of portfolio at Hanro, said: “We are delighted to be working with Tolent to deliver a new Aldi store for the area. Tolent are a very well-respected local construction company making them the ideal contractor to undertake this prominent development.”
A council report from last year said that the new Aldi would be “well-connected and accessible by sustainable modes of transport” and “designed to promote community cohesion, wellbeing and to reflect and enhance the area’s character and natural environment.” The project, which has been progressing rapidly, is split into three phases and is due to be finished by end of this year.
Once complete the development will complement the existing businesses on the western side of Kingston Retail Park with provision in the area including M&S, Specsavers, Next and Boots bringing the area into full occupation and improving services and choice to local shoppers.
Meanwhile in County Durham, Tolent’s development South Seaham Garden Village has taken a step forward after the firm completed a land sale to a trio of developers including Karbon Homes, Taylor Wimpey and Miller Homes.
The completion of the deal means construction of the project, which was awarded garden village status back in 2019, can now progress.
The development will bring 1,500 new homes to the area. 750 homes will be developed for private market sale by Miller Homes and Taylor Wimpey, with the remaining 750 homes to be of mixed tenure including rent to buy, shared ownership and affordable rent options.
Paul Webster, CEO at Tolent, added: “The site has been owned by Tolent for a number of years and we have been working in partnership with Durham County Council to create an ambitious garden village that will provide innovation in the local housing market.”
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