Capital Shopping Centres boost jobs in Essex

People hoping for new employment opportunities in the south east of England could benefit from planned investment into a large retail facility.

Capital Shopping Centres (CSC) has announced plans to extend the Lakeside shopping centre, which it owns alongside other major retail centres including the Trafford Centre.

The planned redevelopment could see the facility's expansion scope an area the size of four football pitches, creating hundreds of retail jobs and other employment opportunities.

Lakeside’s general manager, Paul Lancaster, says the firm is "working hard" to progress plans for the redevelopment, but no planning application has been submitted thus far.

Currently the centre provides 6,000 local jobs in Essex – CSC hopes to create a further 1,000 to 1,500 employment opportunities as part of the expansion.

An increase in the number of stores at the West Thurrock centre could be good news for job seekers in the country trying to secure retail jobs or related sales employment opportunities.

According to BBC Essex, further development of the shopping centre would increase the urgency for increased investment in the surrounding roads.

The Conservative MP for Thurrock, Jackie Doyle-Price, told the news provider: "We are going to have the necessary investment in junction 30, where the A13 meets the M25, to be able to deal with the increase traffic flow."

CSC's 2010 results indicated plans for major extension at the company's Nottingham and Glasgow sites as well as the Lakeside centre.

Expansion plans have been fuelled by a strong performance in 2010, with increased net rental income and improved operational performance.

Patrick Burgess, chairman of CSC, said: "The 2010 results demonstrate that CSC’s recovery is on track.

"The opportunities for value creation through development and active management ... will be vigorously pursued and I look forward to progress through the planning stages of our major extensions to Victoria Centre, Nottingham, Lakeside, Thurrock and Braehead, Glasgow, as well as embarking on other active management projects."

Demand for space in the UK's top 50 shopping centres exceeds supply, he added.

The Lakeside centre had "an excellent year", according to CSC's results, with major clothes retailer Primark opening a flagship store said to be trading well.

In addition, 20 new long term lettings were added to the centre's portfolio, creating further retail jobs and employment opportunities.

Cult, Guess and Panasonic were among additions to the centre's stores, with Ed's Easy Diner adding to Lakeside's catering outlets.

Taco Bell also increased employment opportunities in 2010, opening its first ever UK store in the Lakeside Centre.

The retail jobs sector could be set for overall improvement in 2011, with other large retail firms planning to expand.

John Lewis has announced plans to create new jobs in Scotland, taking its contact centre in Lanarkshire to full capacity.

An additional 200 employment opportunities in customer service, sales and gift lift services are welcome news for job seekers in the region, which is also host to other out-of-town retailers, including DIY outlets where locals can find homebase jobs.

By the end of 2011, 650 employees will be working in the John Lewis centre at Hamilton Technology Park.

Lakeside's potential expansion could help to boost the availability of local jobs and retail employment opportunities in a similar fashion.

For more information on stores currently operating at the Lakeside shopping centre, visit the official site.

Details of John Lewis vacancies can be found on the company website.