Building contractors Shepherd Construction are back on site, preparing to recommence the much-anticipated development, after an innovative partnership comprising AREA Property Partners, Sovereign Land and Shepherd Construction rescued the scheme – purchasing it from the administrators in December 2009. The development is now set to transform Wakefield’s shopping offer when it opens in Spring 2011.

Located in the heart of Wakefield, the scheme comprises more than 40 large, modern retail units - currently unavailable elsewhere in the city centre.  Trinity Walk is set to take the currently under-shopped city centre to a new level – turning Wakefield into a strong sub-regional shopping destination.  The list of tenants will include Debenhams - Wakefield’s first modern department store, a major Sainsbury’s foodstore, Next, New Look, H&M, Peacocks, River Island, Orange, Greggs and Carphone Warehouse.

The completion of Trinity Walk will see Wakefield jump up the national retail rankings (rising 24 places to 64th in CACI National Retail Footprint Ranking), re-energising the retail offer and reducing the loss of shoppers from the catchment to other retail destinations in the region.

Construction of the scheme originally started in 2007, but was halted in early 2009 when the then developer Modus went into administration. The partnership will now deliver one of only a handful scheme’s set to be completed in 2011.

Chris Geaves, Director at Sovereign Land - which is also the development manager for Trinity Walk - 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.

“Trinity Walk is a great scheme, with all the right ingredients for success – its location in the heart of an under-shopped city centre, its proximity to the inner-city ring road as well as its design which includes large units currently unavailable elsewhere in the city – and therefore a complementary offer. In addition, a strong list of tenants are already committed and it is one of the few new retail developments currently under construction and due for completion in 2011.   It is unfortunate that the previous developers got into financial difficulty, but that doesn’t detract from the fundamental strength of Wakefield.

“We believe that Wakefield has huge potential to become a major sub-regional shopping destination, the first choice for regular shopping trips for those that live within its catchment area – a large proportion of whom are currently travelling elsewhere because the city doesn’t have the critical mass of quality shops.   Trinity Walk is the key to changing this and we are delighted to now be bringing it to reality.”

Wilson Lamont at AREA Property Partners added: "We are thrilled to have completed the purchase of the site with our partners and are very pleased with the enthusiasm and support which we have received from the retailers who wish to take units in the scheme. We believe there is a great opportunity to deliver new retail space to the market in 2011, when there will be limited other new schemes coming on line".

Cllr 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, said: “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.”

Letting agents for Trinity Walk are Lunson Mitchenall.