Start date set for Morecambe's new £17m retail park

Developers Opus North expect to finally start work on the Bay Shopping Park in May.

A spokesman said May was looking likely as long as there were no last-minute hitches with appointing a builder and finalising names of retailers.

Work on the former Frontierland site was originally due to start last September but was delayed.

In February, Yorkshire developers Opus North announced it had finished a tendering process and would appoint a building firm to start work on the former Frontierland fairground site shortly.

But a spokesman said while there “has been movement with retailers behind the scenes” he was unable to give any names.

The only confirmed tenants so far are Premier Inn and Brewers Fayre.

The new 60-bedroom hotel and pub-restaurant will replace the Ranch House pub which closed in January.

Surveyors have been inside the former Ranch to prepare for its demolition, possibly in May.

The Polo Tower will also be demolished once a contractor is appointed.

Last July, Opus North confirmed they had been in talks with B&M Bargains and TK Maxx.

The firm, in partnership with site owners Morrisons, had aimed to start work in autumn 2015.

But in September last year, they said “practical hurdles” had slowed down talks with retailers.

Telecoms giant EE (formerly Orange) were also using the 168ft Polo tube as a mast but the licence was due to expire at the end of January 2016.

Planning permission was granted for the new shopping park, in November 2014.