16 April 2008

Doc Fictoria latest

Further progress is being made on the Doc Fictoria development in Caernarfon, and fit outs are about to commence on several of the commercial units.

With Yr Harbwr and Premier Inn Hotel already open and Celtica Retail Centre due to open early next week, developers Watkin Jones Group this week confirmed to Caernarfon Online that other commercial operators will soon be moving in to Doc Fictoria.

Town Centre Manager Debbie Thomas, who deals with commercial leases down at the Doc told us: “Over the next couple of weeks fit outs will start on a brand new Oriental Restaurant which will add to the restaurant offering in Block A, as well as the S4C offices. Work will also be commencing on the medical centre with a view to it being open by early 2009. We’ve also exchanged contracts with Babinogion, the new creche to be located at Block C, which we hope will be up and running over the coming months."

“This is a really exciting time down at the Doc, and it is great to see everything coming together. The Premier Inn is already seeing high occupancy levels and forward bookings, and Yr Harbwr is also proving to be very popular with locals and visitors alike. The unique shopping experience offered by Celtica, and the variety of other operators already signed up, will no doubt go further in ensuring that the development enhances what Caernarfon already has to offer.”

Watkin Jones Group Director, Mark Watkin Jones added that there is strong interest in the remaining retail and restaurant space. He said: “We are currently in discussions with a number of potential tenants, including another leading hotel chain, and are hoping to be in a position to make further announcements in the next week or two.

“This development has faced many challenges, but we’ve always remained confident that it will benefit both the local community and the wider economy in North Wales. The success already experienced by operators such as Whitbread at Doc Fictoria and the high level of interest we’ve had from other operators confirms our belief that there is strong commercial demand for the development.

“By working with local stakeholders, we will continue to ensure that the development serves as a catalyst for the much needed regeneration of Caernarfon. The more people that come to Caernarfon means the more money that will be spent in the town. This clearly provides wider business opportunities and promotes the economy as a whole.”

On the residential side, it was also confirmed this week that half of the apartments already released for sale have been sold, mostly to people from the Caernarfon area.