The area of vacant land near the Haven Exchange in Felixstowe will be the site of a new shopping complex.

Developers want tenants for all units

Bosses at a development company today admitted they do not know when work can finally begin on the £8million Haven Exchange project, which could bring about 100 jobs to the town.

Planning permission has been in place to create retail outlets on the site, opposite Dock Gate One, for the last 17 years.

It was initially hoped that work would begin on the site this summer, with some high-profile business being touted as possible tenants.

But bosses at Cranford Developments, the company in charge of the site, say they are not able to begin building until all the units have found tenants – so far it is thought two of the five units have been let.

Matt Parry, the company’s planning director, said: “It’s all a case of trying to sort the last (units) out before we can start. The market is not a brilliant place at the moment so it’s trying to get somewhere where we have got a fully let scheme so that we can build.”

It is believed that national companies are interested in the site however Cranford declined to reveal the identities of the shops interested in taking up residence on the 45,000sq ft complex.

Mr Parry reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the scheme and stated that they are working to fill up the remaining units so that work can start.

He added: “We are desperate to try to get it done because it has been sat there for a long time.”