Crown Estate launches phase one of Rushden Lakes
The Crown Estate has launched phase one of Rushden Lakes, the new retail and leisure destination in Northamptonshire.
Developed by LXB with architects HPW, Rushden Lakes is situated in over 200 acres of a Site of Special Scientific Interest, operated in partnership with The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire.
The first phase covers 230,00 square feet of retail space. Retailers include the likes of Marks & Spencer, Primark, New Look, JD Sports and H&M as well as Jigsaw, White Stuff, Joules and L’Occitane.
Meanwhile, the leisure offer is anchored by the Nene Wetlands Visitor Centre, the gateway to a one kilometre nature trail around the neighbouring lake and the broader Nene Valley, and The Boathouse from local canoe and boating specialist Canoe2.
The Nene Wetlands Visitor Centre is Wildlife Trust BCN has also created the Wildlife Discovery Centre, which includes a children’s play area with an abandoned barge and otter holt, wildlife sculptures, and bird watching on the lake and via hidden cameras in inaccessible areas.
Canoe2 will provide hire of canoes, kayaks and swan pedalos on the lake and offer short break adventures and camping across the Nene Valley. There will also the brand’s first physical retail store, selling a full range of craft including Canadian canoes, kayaks, and kit.
Hannah Milne, director of regional retail at The Crown Estate, said: “Rushden Lakes is the first of its kind; a shopping and leisure destination which combines big name fashion, premium retail and new brands coming to Northamptonshire for the first time. Rushden Lakes is not only shaped by its natural surroundings, it puts the environment at the heart of its offer. Our mission is to create brilliant places, and with Rushden Lakes we see this ambition becoming a ground-breaking reality.”
Future phases of Rushden Lakes will include a 14-screen cinema from Cineworld, trampolining and additional retail outlets.
