Durham to get joint Mercia and Arnison scheme

Electricity Supply Nominees, the electricity industry pension fund, has bought the Mercia Retail Park in Durham, Co Durham.

It plans to merge the scheme with the adjoining Arnison Centre, which it already owns, to create a unified retail destination.

As part of this strategy, manager F&C Property Investment Management has let the 12,230 sq ft (1,135 sq m) former Somerfield unit to Boots the Chemists on a 10-year lease at£25 per sq ft (£269 per sq m).

FPD Savills is the letting agent, and director Craig Hudson said: 'A number of high street fashion retailers have expressed interest in the scheme, but until now we have been unable to take back any units. Boots will help to move the scheme forward in the shopping park line up.'

Cheetham & Mortimer represented Boots.