Belgrave Land Ltd (BLL) is preparing to start work on the second phase of its Telegraph Park retail development in Kettering, costing £3.8m, after having secured Comet, PC World and Maplin as pre-lets for the site.

The new stage of development will consist of 39,000 sq ft of retail space. All three retailers have signed 15-year leases with Comet leasing 20,000 sq ft at £19 sq ft, PC World taking 14,000 sq ft at £20 sq ft and Maplin occupying the final 5,000 sq ft at £20 sq ft. Construction is set to begin by the end of September with a completion date set for May 2009.

The £15m first phase of Telegraph Park covered 62,000 sq ft and became home to Wickes who opened a 50,000 sq ft store and Carpetright who moved into the other 12,000 sq ft.

Jonathan Willoughby, managing director of BLL, told PIN: “We are delighted that three national retailers have committed to opening new stores in Kettering. This emphasises Kettering’s position as a major retailing centre within Northamptonshire. The fact that Kettering’s population is set to grow considerably, due to the Government’s designation of it as a significant growth town, has clearly influenced the decision of these retailers.”