New Wickes opens its doors as Norwich retail park takes shape - with Aldi waiting in the wings
The new Wickes store, on the junction between A140 Sweet Briar Road and Hellesdon Hall Road. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY - Credit: Copyright: Archant 2016
The first store on a new retail and trade park, which is taking shape on the edge of Norwich, opens its doors today.
DIY and home improvements store Wickes is the inaugural tenant at the Sweet Briar Park development, which is being created on fields the size of 15 football pitches.
The store, near the junction with Hellesdon Hall Road, will serve its first customers today, with Travis Perkins having bought land to relocate its Wickes store from Drayton Road.
Planning permission for the Wickes store was granted by Norwich City Council in October last year and the past few months have seen the huge building take shape.
At the time planning permission was granted, city council planning officer Joy Brown stated: 'The development could also act as a catalyst for the wider development of the site, which could in turn provide employment opportunities and economic development to this part of the city.'
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The move of Wickes to the Sweet Briar Park development also opens the door for a new Aldi in the city.
The German supermarket chain was given permission for a new store in Drayton Road, on the site which had been occupied by Wickes and Topps Tiles.
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An Aldi spokeswoman said: 'Construction on our new store on Drayton Road is progressing well. Once we're up and running, it will create up to 50 new jobs.'
• Do you think Norwich needs another out-of-city retail park? Write, giving full contact details, to Letters Editor, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich NR1 1RE or email eveningnewsletters@archant.co.uk
