TWO major retailers have been announced for DunBear Park in Dunbar.
Detailed planning applications have been submitted to East Lothian Council for Lidl and B&M stores, as well as road infrastructure. These have been tipped to create up to 80 jobs. With site infrastructure this is set to deliver £30 million of investment in the development.
The joint application by Hallhill Developments Limited, Lidl and B&M follows planning applications for roads, footpaths and infrastructure submitted last year, together with renewable energy proposals.
The 54.3-acre site is designed around The DunBear, a five metre-high steel sculpture of a brown bear which pays tribute to Dunbar-born naturalist, John Muir, who is credited with playing a key role in the establishment of National Parks in the USA.
DunBear Park is part of the Hallhill development. The mixed-use development aims to feature office, industrial, retail, leisure, extra care facilities, community and residential uses.
One outcome of the community consultation event for the DunBear Park development was a desire by the local community for a greater retail offering in Dunbar.
Ken Ross from Hallhill Developments Limited said, “At a time when retailers are scaling back due to the pandemic, it is great to be able to announce that these operators will be coming to DunBear Park. This will address the increased demand and provide greater competition, key themes that came from the community consultation exercise we undertook.
“This £30 million investment will deliver up to 80 much-needed new jobs for the local community, which is a clear vote of confidence in this location and will also serve to deliver the necessary infrastructure to allow us to bring forward further investment into Dunbar.”
Philip Mellor from the Dunbar Traders’ Association added, “Developments such as this complement Dunbar town centre, and through preventing retail leakage to elsewhere in East Lothian and Edinburgh will keep more money in the town. In order to maximise the potential of these exciting developments we will be working with the developer to establish ways to promote and use appropriate signage. This will attract people who are visiting these outlets and/or the fantastic DunBear sculpture to the town centre.”
