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06/10/2008 | Employment boost for Milton Keynes as River Island gets go ahead for new centre
High street fashion retailer River Island is set to become Magna Park’s second occupier, following approval by Milton Keynes Partnership Committee (MKPC) of a planning application for a 45,000 sq m office and distribution centre.
The new facility is expected to create up to 500 jobs on this site and will contribute almost £3 million to the Milton Keynes Infrastructure Tariff.
John Lewis, Chief Executive of Milton Keynes Partnership, said: “Milton Keynes keeps on attracting major commercial players – most recently Domino’s Pizza Group at West Ashlands and now River Island at Magna Park. High calibre businesses such as these will help to maintain job growth and continue the demand for housing in Milton Keynes.”
Don Morgan, Planning and Development Director for Gazeley UK - the development managers for Magna Park - said: “Despite generally harsh trading conditions on the High Street, River Island continues to achieve favourable trading results and wishes to invest in its continuing long term growth in Milton Keynes. This is a major vote of confidence in the Magna Park project and in the city.”
River Island has a long-standing national operational base at Tongwell and the new site at Magna Park will allow them to remain in the area with their existing workforce and grow substantially in a phased manner over time.
The distribution centre aims to achieve the BREEAM Excellent standard and will incorporate a range of sustainable design initiatives and environmentally-friendly features that will contribute to savings in carbon emissions and energy costs.
John Lewis, Chief Executive of Milton Keynes Partnership, said: “Milton Keynes keeps on attracting major commercial players – most recently Domino’s Pizza Group at West Ashlands and now River Island at Magna Park. High calibre businesses such as these will help to maintain job growth and continue the demand for housing in Milton Keynes.”
Don Morgan, Planning and Development Director for Gazeley UK - the development managers for Magna Park - said: “Despite generally harsh trading conditions on the High Street, River Island continues to achieve favourable trading results and wishes to invest in its continuing long term growth in Milton Keynes. This is a major vote of confidence in the Magna Park project and in the city.”
River Island has a long-standing national operational base at Tongwell and the new site at Magna Park will allow them to remain in the area with their existing workforce and grow substantially in a phased manner over time.
The distribution centre aims to achieve the BREEAM Excellent standard and will incorporate a range of sustainable design initiatives and environmentally-friendly features that will contribute to savings in carbon emissions and energy costs.
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Notes to editors
For further information, please contact:
Nadir Farrell
English Partnerships
tel: 01908 353913
email: nadirfarrell@englishpartnerships.co.uk
Helen Meadows
English Partnerships
tel: 01908 353913
email: helenmeadows@englishpartnerships.co.uk
© English Partnerships 2003-2008