£13.7m extension of Leeds' White Rose Shopping Centre reaches topping out stage

Morgan Sindall, the construction and infrastructure company, has reached the topping out stage at its 65,000 sq ft leisure extension to White Rose Shopping Centre, in Leeds.

Representatives from Morgan Sindall, Land Securities, Leeds City Council and White Rose Shopping Centre’s management team all attended a traditional topping out ceremony.

The £13.7m project, awarded to Morgan Sindall by developer Land Securities, is set to create around 350 new full-time and part-time jobs once completed.

The leisure extension will provide room for an 11-screen cinema, operated by Cineworld IMAX. It will also include six additional family friendly-restaurants and a range of new public realm features.

There is an expectation that the new outdoor areas will now attract further tourism to the area, with events such as Christmas markets and summer pop-ups now planned.

Rob Jewell, portfolio director at Land Securities, commented: “The topping out ceremony today marks the team’s achievement since breaking ground in April and is an important step towards practical completion in just over three months’ time.

“We are all so excited to complete this vital extension to the scheme, and look forward to opening new restaurants and the cinema next summer.

“At Land Securities, we are committed to providing customers with best-in-class experiences. We are proud to say that - with the partnership and support from Leeds City Council and Morgan Sindall - we are achieving that here at White Rose.”

Councillor Kim Groves, labour councillor for Middleton Park Ward and chair of the employment and skills board for Inner South Leeds, said: “Leeds Council wholly supports the extension at White Rose Shopping Centre and the opportunities it will bring the local community.

“White Rose Shopping Centre acts as a landmark in the community having provided jobs to Leeds for nearly two decades, as well as offering an estimated 350 full time and part time job prospects once the extension we are celebrating today has been completed.

“We have worked closely and collaboratively with Land Securities throughout the development process in order to ensure we had a shared vision for the centre’s loyal community, something which we can see today has been a huge success.”

Peter Finegan, Morgan Sindall senior project manager, added: “We are very pleased to reach topping out on such an exciting project. Our work here will leave a lasting legacy, providing a platform for retail and leisure-focused businesses to establish themselves in one of the most popular shopping destinations in the North.

“The employment opportunities provided by the retail industry are crucial to the people of Leeds, and Morgan Sindall is proud to be at the forefront for the creation of hundreds more jobs in the area.”