Construction of the new £100m Grantham Designer Outlet Village is set to start in autumn this year, with the first phase of 90 stores scheduled to open in late summer 2021.

Giles Membrey, Founder and Managing Director of developer Rioja Developments, has revealed the build timetable in an interview with Retail Gazette.

Rioja Developments has teamed up with investor and property owner Buckminster to build the outlet village on a 36-acre section of the King 31 land, accessed from a new A1 junction which will also connect to the new Southern Relief Road.

It will create around 1,500 new jobs.

Mr Membrey told Retail Gazette: "We expect to start on site in the autumn of this year.

"Grantham Designer Outlet Village is scheduled to open late summer of 2021 with the first phase, at around 180,000sq ft and 90 stores.

"The second phase - around 90,000sq ft and 40 stores - which already has outline planning consent, will open approximately 18 months later."

Rioja Developments says Grantham Designer Outlet Village will feature 'discounted, upmarket, quality, luxury brands, in a welcoming village setting undeliverable in market town high streets', alongside public spaces, play areas, cafés and restaurants and a visitor and tourism centre to promote Grantham and the town's businesses.

"People will have easy access to premium designer brands and a quality outlet shopping destination that cannot yet be found locally.

"Independent research tells us to expect 3.5 million visitors per year when the scheme is fully open, which will drive visitor numbers to Grantham town centre and regional tourist attractions, bringing with it the associated economic benefits seen with other premium outlet schemes.

"The scheme has been universally well-received and, although our negotiations are still at a confidential stage, people in the region will be surprised and excited about the level of famous designer fashion, sports and food and beverage brands that are interested.

"We have already agreed terms and signed numerous letters of interest for the scheme," Mr Membry told Retail Gazette.

Rioja Developments believes most visitors will not come from the local area, but from 'a 30 to 90-minute drive away', creating a tourist destination and attracting people who would not otherwise have come to Grantham.

To read the full Retail Gazette interview click on the red button below.