Yahoo News Mammoth Teesside Park unit earmarked for new Sports Direct stripped back to bricks and beams
There's been a noticeable change at Teesside Park as a huge unit has been stripped back to its shell.
Unit 9A - which is made up of the former Laura Ashley, USC, MenKind, and Argos stores - has been exposed to the elements as workers take the huge site back to its bricks and beams. The retail park is getting ready to house a "brilliant new brand" in the unit - with Teesside Live previously revealing it was earmarked for the new Sports Direct.
Pictures sent in from the complex now show the ongoing works, with boards having been erected around the outside of the site. Crews are continuing to remove the old signs and sheltered walkway along the front, preparing the unit for its new sleek glass front like many of the other Teesside Park stores.
Earlier this year, boards were set up around the unit alongside a temporary walkway as work on the vacant unit began. While Argos and Laura Ashley have both been closed for some time, it came just several months after USC and MenKind closed their doors to shoppers in December, last year.
Park plans, drawn up by owner British Land, continue to list Sports Direct as "opening soon" on the amalgamated unit - although the park has yet to provide any confirmation. However, bosses did confirm last year that the chain would be opening a new 40,000sq ft unit featuring Evans Cycles and GAME - with Flannels set to take over the current Sports Direct.
An opening date was initially set for late 2024 - however, Teesside Live understands this is now a late 2024 or early 2025 timeframe. The building work comes amid some other major changes at the park, which recently welcome Nike, Wagamama and Lush.
Also set to come is the new Primark store, as well as a Ninja Warrior adventure park and a PureGym in the former Millennium nightclub.
