Construction work has started to develop a new Wickes store in Sunderland.

National DIY chain Wickes is preparing to move into its new store at Pennywell Industrial Estate.

Wickes is relocating from its current base on Wessington Way to a new 25,000 sq ft store, featuring an 'outdoor project centre', service yard and 64 car parking spaces. Work was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the store set to open to the public in Summer 2021.

The store is the latest addition to the Pennywell Industrial Estate, with a new 1,315 sq metre Aldi food store, featuring onsite car and cycle parking, having opened earlier this summer. A KFC restaurant also opened on the industrial estate last year.

The new Wickes store will create further new job opportunities to add to over 60 already created on the industrial estate following the opening of the new Aldi and KFC sites.

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The comprehensive development by UK Land Estates is providing investment of nearly £8 million in regenerating the former site of the Dewhirst clothing factory that closed in 2003.

Tim Witty, development director at UK Land Estates, said: "We're glad to see construction picking up speed at this formerly derelict site, and our proud to be leading investment in the local economy as the UK continues to recover from coronavirus.

"Local residents and workers can now benefit from the presence of major brands in the area, with the high-quality facilities these sites offer.

"Pennywell Industrial Estate occupies an important gateway site into Sunderland, and we are pleased to continue to develop new properties and renovate existing sites to meet the needs of the local economy, creating jobs and nurturing skills in the process."

Jo Lord, Property Director at Wickes commented: "As we modernise our store estate, we continue to look for property that reflects our needs. This relocation enables our business to put in place a new store format that we know resonates well with our customers.

"It allows us to offer more products and services to those in the local area, and the location itself is very exciting, as other retailers invest in the area this will drive new customers into the store when it opens."