Work in progress again at shopping centre site

Building contractors Shepherd Construction are back on the site of Trinity Walk in Wakefield after a consortium rescued the scheme from administrators last month.

The 500sq ft centre will comprise more than 40 shops, including Debenhams, Sainsbury's, Next, New Look, H&M, Peacocks, River Island, Orange, Greggs and Carphone Warehouse. It is due to open in spring 2011.

Construction of the scheme originally started in 2007, but was halted in early 2009 when the then developer Modus went into administration. The consortium, which comprises AREA Property Partners, Sovereign Land and Shepherd Construction, stepped in to complete the project.

Chris Geaves, director of developer Sovereign Land, said: "It's been a very hectic few months, but we have pulled out all of the stops to buy the site and get Shepherd back on site as quickly as possible."

Coun Peter Box, leader of Wakefield Council, said: "I am delighted to see that work will begin back on site at Trinity Walk. The council has been working hard behind the scenes with our private sector partners to get this key development back on track, which will provide a real boost for the entire district."

Joanne Roney, Wakefield Council's chief executive, added: "Once completed, Trinity Walk will strengthen and compliment our existing retail offer here in Wakefield. A lot of work has gone into resurrecting this important retail scheme and this is great news to begin the new decade with.

The concept and plans for the shopping centre remain largely unchanged.

The development will address the much needed supply of new retail for the city centre and stem the so-called "leakage" of customers to surrounding towns.