More improvments for Mercia
THE fifth anniversary later this year of Mercia Marina, on the Trent & Mersey Canal is being celebrated with new plans for a waterside retail and bar development.
Now a tranquil home for nearly 600 boats and a scattering of luxury holiday lodges, it was only a few years ago the marina was no more than a fishing lake, and thus an ambitious dream of owners John and Michael Thornton.
Improvements
Now, nearly five years on, the latest in a long line of improvements to the site is set to take place, in the shape of a boutique shopping and leisure development overlooking the marina.
A revised version of The Boardwalk development has recently been submitted to South Derbyshire District Council for planning consent, and—if permission is granted—building work is expected to begin in October this year, one month after Mercia Marina's five years milestone.
Planning approval
Planning approval was previously given for the Boardwalk more than 18 months ago, as a development that would have comprised seven ground-floor retail units. A number of retailers, including a farm shop business, had already begun negotiating terms.
This previous application, though, was also intended to run alongside wider building plans for an iconic four-storey 'Lighthouse' building, which was to house a high quality pub/restaurant business, and a smaller group of four retail units bordering an open-air piazza.
Recession
The on-going recession, however, has forced the marina's owners to adapt, particularly because quality retailers have yet to see an economic recovery.
Far from giving up on the scheme, they now intend to build the development in phases. The Lighthouse, for now, will be shelved, but the Boardwalk plans have been cleverly adjusted to suit the commercial climate.
Six shop units
It is now intended to include a central bar-bistro in the Boardwalk plans, flanked by up to six shop units. Another key addition, which has meant new planning consent was necessary, is the inclusion of a second floor, above the shops, to contain around four small offices overlooking the water, as well as a second storey for the bar-bistro.
The first phase of this revised scheme, scheduled to open in Spring 2014, is likely to cost around £1.7m and potentially create up to 40 jobs.
For boaters
John Thornton, part-owner of Mercia Marina, explained:
"Our intention was to build the entire development in one go. We saw it as a fabulous additional facility for our boaters, and also a way of further boosting wider tourism in South Derbyshire.
"We cannot control the economy though, and, as it continues to struggle, we've needed to remain flexible. Consequently we have revised the design for the Boardwalk and introduced a new phased approach for the overall development."
Most obvious alteration
The most obvious alteration in the latest design is the inclusion of the two-storey bar-bistro. It will take centre stage in the Boardwalk, with its position recessed further back than the shop units on either side to create space for an outdoor seating area on the water's edge.
While a number of businesses, including the farm shop and clothing and gift retailers, are still keen to move into the new development, the marina is seeking interest from other quality retailers and would especially like to hear from a restaurateur keen to take on the running of the 120-cover bar-bistro, which would potentially cater for lunchtime and evening trade.
Robert Neff, general manager of Mercia Marina, stated:
"As with the other third-party businesses already operating on the marina site, such as Midland Chandlers, we're seeking outstanding operators to move into the development.
"The marina is an incredibly attractive and unusual setting, yet it's extremely accessible from the nearby A38 and A50, so will attract visitors from a wide area."
Perfect environment
During the last five years, Mercia Marina has planted trees, created wildlife habitats and carried out extensive landscaping to provide boaters with the perfect environment to pass their leisure time.
The site also includes a number of low-rise buildings housing marina offices, boat hire businesses, tea rooms, a general store, a chandlery 'superstore', a trip boat and various other boating-related operations.
